Can Vet J. 2009;50:511

Hair loss in a blue Doberman pinscher crossbreed
Roberta Perego, et al

..A blue Doberman pinscher crossbreed was presented…because of progressive coat abnormalities, in particular, flank alopecia (hair loss ) and pruritus. The dog had not been vaccinated regularly or exposed to antiparasitic prophylaxis. snip… Until the appearance of the first dermatological clinical signs, the dog had had no previous history of illness. The changes in the dog’s skin, in particular a bilaterally symmetrical loss of hair with pruritus on the flanks, had been seen from about 18 mo of age. Oral antibiotic therapy with amoxicillin/clavulanate (Synulox; Pfizer Italia Srl., Latina, Italy), 25 mg/kg bodyweight (BW), PO, q12h for 3 wk had resulted in a partial resolution of the pruritus, without improvement in the density of the coat.

Ferrous Ferric Chloride Stimulates the Skin Cell Function and Hair Growth in Mice

Tomohisa Hirobe

It is not known whether FFC stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of mammalian skin cells as well as hair regrowth in vivo. To answer this question, FFC-containing skin lotions (FFC Super Essence Plain® and Moisture® Type, Akatsuka Co.) were painted on the dorsal skin of newborn C57BL/10JHir (B10) mice and tested for their proliferation- and differentiation-stimulating effects on keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and melanocytes as well as for their stimulating effects on the hair growth. This treatment stimulated the proliferation and differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes, dermal fibroblasts, and epidermal and dermal melanocytes in the skin as well as hair regrowth. From 2 to 3 weeks after birth B10 mice generally lose their hairs except those on the head at the telogen stage of the hair growth cycle. The treatment with FFC inhibited the alopecia hair-loss. FFC can stimulate hair regrowth, and, in addition, can inhibit the alopecia hair-loss.

Edited for hair loss treatment blog

Hair loss blog

Dr Proctor treats hair loss

Pediatr Dermatol.2009;26:547

308-nm excimer laser for the treatment of alopecia areata in children.
Al-Mutairi N.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common skin disease which is characterized by nonscarring localized or diffused hair loss. In this study we assessed the efficacy of 308-nm Excimer laser in the treatment of alopecia areata in children. A total of 9 children with 30 recalcitrant patches alopecia areata and two children with alopecia areata totalis were enrolled in this study which included seven male and four female patients, aged between 4 and 14 years and the durations of their disease were between 7 and 25 months. snip… Only four patients with scalp lesions showed a recurrence of hair loss after 6 months post laser treatment. So, 308-nm Excimer laser is considered an effective safe treatment option for patchy alopecia areata in children.

Edited for blog use

Clin Pharm. 1987;6:386

Topical minoxidil treatment for hair regrowth.

Rumsfield JA, et al

The pathogenesis of hair loss, the postulated mechanisms of minoxidil action on hair regrowth, and clinical trials, …snip… Improved hair growth occurred after four to six months of therapy; twice-daily treatment seems to be indicated. …. in androgenetic alopecia (male-pattern baldness),…(and) For alopecia areata, which involves hair loss on the body or scalp, usually patchy and of sudden onset, no reliable treatment has been found, although minoxidil treatment may be efficacious in some patients. Minoxidil has generated new interest in hair-loss research. The etiology of hair loss must be better understood before more effective treatments can be designed.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009

Inhibition of Inflammatory Gene Expression in Keratinocytes Using a Composition Containing Carnitine, Thioctic Acid and Saw Palmetto Extract.
Chittur S, et al

Chronic inflammation of the hair follicle (HF) is considered a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or pattern hair loss. Previously, we clinically tested liposterolic extract of Serenoa repens (LSESr) and its glycoside, beta-sitosterol, in subjects with AGA and showed a highly positive response to treatment. In this study, we sought to determine whether blockade of inflammation using a composition containing LSESr as well as two anti-inflammatory agents (carnitine and thioctic acid) could alter the expression of molecular markers of inflammation in a well-established in vitro system. Using a well-validated assay representative of HF keratinocytes, specifically, stimulation of cultured human keratinocyte cells in vitro, we measured changes in gene expression of a spectrum of well-known inflammatory markers. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) provided an inflammatory stimulus. In particular, we found that the composition effectively suppressed LPS-activated gene expression of chemokines snip..associated with pathways involved in inflammation and apoptosis. Our data support the hypothesis that the test compound exhibits anti-inflammatory characteristics in a well-established in vitro assay representing HF keratinocyte gene expression. These findings suggest that 5-alpha reductase inhibitors combined with blockade of inflammatory processes could represent a novel two-pronged approach in the treatment of AGA with improved efficacy over current modalities.

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2009;61:529

Melanocytes: a possible autoimmune target in alopecia areata.

Trautman S, et al

Blog notes: Hair loss in alopecia areata often involves depigmentation of hair in the affected area.

J Dermatol. 1991;18:714

Hair regrowth on nude mice due to cyclosporin A.
Watanabe S, et al

One of the most common dermatological side effects of cyclosporin A is increased hair regrowth. Similar hair regrowth was noted in nude mice….. The aim of the present study was to further investigate the stimulation of hair growth on nude mice not only by oral administration of CsA but also by topical and subcutaneous administration of CsA. Young BALB/c female nude mice were treated for 3 or 4 weeks with … applications of CsA dissolved in olive oil at various doses. The hair of CsA-treated mice appeared to regrow from 7 days after the treatment, even at low doses. Induced hair growth was dose-dependent and became clearly obvious 3 weeks after the treatment. The stimulation of hair growth was not restricted to the site of topical application. The distribution of the new hair depended on the natural pattern of hair growth in the mice. However, there was no hair regrowth in the control mice which were given only olive oil. snip… The hair growth in the CsA-treated mice stopped after cessation of the treatment…Subsequent retreatment with CsA resulted in further regrowth of the hair.

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This is not really related much to hair loss treatment. However, Dr. Proctor and his coworkers developed the first organic semiconductor electronic device. This “gadget is now on the exclusive “Smithsonian chips” list of historic semiconductor devices and othe material related to the development of modern semiconductors and integrated circuits.

Aesthetic Plast Surg.2005;29:325

Extensive traction alopecia (hair loss) attributable to ponytail hairstyle and its treatment with hair transplantation.
Ozçelik D.

PMID: 16044234

Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1990 Jan;32(1):1-12.

Plasma C19 steroid sulphate levels and indices of androgen bioavailability in female pattern androgenic alopecia.
Montalto J,et al

Female pattern androgenic alopecia (pattern hair loss) is a relatively common endocrine abnormality in premenopausal women. … snip… The nature of the hyperandrogenism associated with AA may thus only be revealed by a comprehensive plasma androgen and androgen sulphate profile, which may explain apparently aberrant data for a given patient. In addition, 5-ADIOL-S and 3 alpha-DIOL-S may serve as excellent plasma markers of both the existence of the disorder and the efficacy of hair loss treatment.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2009;8:758

Alopecia areata treated with efalizumab: a case with significant hair regrowth after long-term therapy.
Smith JR, et al

Efaluzimab has recently been described as a treatment for hair loss due to alopecia areata. Conflicting reports and studies have spurred discussion as to whether efaluzimab is an effective treatment of alopecia areata. Proposed mechanisms for this immune-modifying agent have suggested that efficacy is derived from efaluzimab’s effects on T cells. However, a recent molecular study found no alteration in T cell action around hair follicles at six months of treatment and thus the study concluded that efaluzimab was not an effective hair loss treatment. This article describes a nine-year-old male with recalcitrant alopecia totalis for seven years who had been nonresponsive to therapeutic intervention. He was started on efaluzimab for severe atopic dermatitis and began to regrow scalp hair at one year of treatment. This discussion suggests that longer treatment durations may be needed for hair regrowth to be seen in some patients.

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LOPEZ B., Contribution on the etiopathogenesis and treatment of alopecia areata. I. Introduction; clinical examination data and determination of basal metabolism. Actas Dermosifiliogr.1951;42:589-604.

Dr Proctor comments: an early paper on the treatment of hair loss due to alopecia areata.