Hair Loss

The therapeutic effect of the enzyme inhibitors on the treatment of androgenetic alopecia ( male pattern hair loss ) such as finasteride, is proven. in this study, serial measurements of hair count and terminal hair increase showed that increasing in total hair count and terminal hair regrowth in both treatment groups was significant. The total hair in both groups demonstrated significant regrowth differences between first referral and 6 months after treatment, this indicates the therapeutic efficacy of both drugs in hair loss. The regrowth of terminal hairs in finasteride gel group was always more than the finasteride tablet group, until third month of therapy. However, hair regrowth was similar in both groups during the fourth month of treatment. At 5 th and 6 th months, the terminal hair counts were more in the group who were receiving tablets, thus explaining the efficacy of the tablet during treatment….”

edited for hair loss and hair regrowth and hai rloss treatment blog

Hair Loss Treatment at the Proctor Clinic

April 19, 2010 Lab News Daily (edited)

Hair-Regrowth Gene Identified

Leif Carlsson

“Activation of the gene Lhx2 leads to increased hair regrowth. This is shown by Leif Carlsson’s research team at Umeå Univ. in an article in the latest Web edition of the respected scientific journal PLoS Genetics. The findings partly refute earlier research results in the field. snip….

After the regrowth phase, hair formation ceases, and the follicle recedes and enters a period of rest. After a period of rest, a new growth period starts, and the old hair is ejected and lost from the body. The reason for this complex regulation of hair growth is not understood, but it has been suggested that it makes it possible to adjust hair growth to the season.

In the present study Carlsson’s research team identifies the transcription factor Lhx2 as an important regulator of hair formation. The Lhx2 gene is active during the hair follicle’s regrowth phase and is turned off during the resting period. The scientists have been able to show that Lhx2 is functionally involved in the formation of hair, as hair follicles in which Lhx2 has been inactivated cannot produce hair. Moreover, the activation of the Lhx2 gene in hair follicles has been shown to activate the regrowth phase and hence the formation of hair. Thus, Lhx2 is a gene that is important for the regulation of hair regrowth.

In contrast to previously published research findings from other teams of scientists, Leif Carlsson and his colleagues found that Lhx2 is primarily expressed outside the so-called bulge region of the hair follicle, where the follicle’s stem cells are found. The Umeå researchers have also shown that Lhx2 is necessary for the hair follicle’s growth (anagen) phase to proceed and for the hair follicle’s structuring. Moreover, transgenic expression of Lhx2 after birth is sufficient to activate the growth phase and stimulate hair regrowth.

These findings allow for an alternative interpretation of the function of Lhx2 in hair follicles compared with previous results. Lhx2 is expressed periodically, primarily in precursor cells that are distinct from the cells in the bulging region of the follicles. It is a factor that is necessary for hair to be formed and to regrow. “

Bimatoprost in the treatment of eyelash hair loss.
Law SK.

hair loss treatment blog

Eyelashes hypotrichosis is indicated by an inadequate regrowth of eyelash hair. Hypertrichosis of eyelashes,snip…Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Latisse(®) (bimatoprost 0.03% solution), identical to the ophthalmic solution for glaucoma treatment, for increasing eyelash hair length, thickness and darkness in patients with hypotrichosis of the eyelashes. When prostaglandin and prostamide analogs interact with the prostanoid receptors in the hair follicle, this most likely stimulates the resting follicles (telogen phase) to growing follicles (anagen phase). Prostaglandin and prostamide analogs may also prolong the anagen phase of eyelashes, leading to an increase of eyelash length. Although bimatoprost is effective in promoting increased regrowth of healthy eyelashes and adnexal hairs, its effectiveness in patients with eyelash hair loss due to alopecia areata is debatable and its protective effect is not yet studied in patients with eyelash hair loss from radiation or chemotherapy….. However, other ocular or systemic side effects associated with ophthalmic prostaglandin and prostamide analogs may occur when instilled on the surface of the eye, and patients must be informed and monitored.

Med Hypotheses. 2009 Dec;73:1035.

The most efficient follicular regenerating unit and the smallest follicular regenerating unit: potential treatments for hair loss.

Wang S, et al

Abstract
Hair loss affects many people, especially adult males. An effective treatment is hair transplantation which involves harvesting hair grafts from a donor site and relocating them to a bald site. However, this traditional method, equivalent to one-to-one transplantation, simply redistributes hair rather than increases the number of existing hairs. Although hair transplantation is actually the transplantation of hair follicle (HF), it has been confirmed that whole HFs could be reformed from parts of HFs containing different constituents, implying the existence of more efficient and smaller HF regenerating units in a whole HF. Thus we hypothesize that the most efficient follicular regenerating unit (EFRU) and the smallest follicular regenerating unit (SFRU) could be found in whole HFs. As a result, the one-to-many hair transplantation would be achieved in clinic. One-to-many means to double or triple the number of hairs. In order to test and verify the hypothesis, we design a method called hair follicle micro-dissection (HFM) which aims to help find the regenerating units and increase the number of hair for transplantation. The postulation may provide a more mature and realistic treatment for hair loss if it proved to be practical.

key words: hair loss hair regrowth minoxiidl finasteride propecia hair treansplantation

FASEB J. 2009 Dec 21.

Identification of novel hair-regrowth inducers by means of connectivity mapping.

Ishimatsu-Tsuji Y,et al

The aim of this study was to identify novel inducers of hair regrowth using gene expression profiling at various stages of hair-growth induction. First, we analyzed gene expression at the onset of hair growth in mice induced by cyclosporin A (CsA), a well-known hair-growth inducer, using DNA microarray analysis. The results unveiled genes involved in the step-by-step progression of hair regrowth, including increases in melanin biosynthesis and decreases in immune response at d 2 and the subsequent stimulation of cell proliferation at d 4, followed by the up-regulation of hair specific keratins at d 7 after CsA treatment. With the use of the connectivity map (Cmap), agents that had a similar “gene signature” to that of the profiles of CsA-treated mice were identified. Several agents, including CsA, were identified by the Cmap and were evaluated for hair induction activity in vivo. One of the proposed agents, fluphenazine (from the d 2 signature) actually induced hair growth in vivo, and the subsequent application of 5 mM iloprost (from the d 4 signature) significantly enhanced the hair-growth effect of fluphenazine. From these results, Cmap analysis was proven to be a useful method that connects gene expression profiles of complicated biological processes, such as hair-regrowth induction, to effective agents for hair loss treatment.

Edited for hair loss treatment and regrowth blog

Clin Genet.2009;76:332
Hereditary hair loss and the ancient signaling pathways that regulate ectodermal appendage formation.

Van Raamsdonk CD.

Epidermal appendages such as hair, teeth, and nails, begin with ectodermal thickening. This placode arises from a primary induction signal sent from the underlying mesenchyme to the overlying epidermis. In mammals, the precise arrangement of hair follicles is due to the amount and distribution of signals that promote and inhibit hair placode formation. Continued development of a hair follicle after placode formation requires a complex cross-talk between the mesenchyme and epidermis. Here, I will review recent studies in humans and mice that have increased our understanding of the role of these signaling pathways in normal development and in hereditary hair loss syndromes. The study of normal hair development and regrowth may suggest ways to restore or eliminate hair and might identify possible targets for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma, a cancer which strongly resembles embryonic hair follicles.

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2010 Jan 5

Fluorine-Induced Apoptosis and Lipid Peroxidation in Human Hair Follicles In Vitro.
Wang ZH, et al

edited for hair loss treatment blogs

Fluoride is an essential for human body; however, exposure to high amounts of fluoride is correlated with hair loss. To date, little is known about the mechanism(s) of how fluoride affects hair follicles. Here, we demonstrated that sodium fluoride (NaF) significantly inhibited hair regrowth, but low NaF showed little influence. Moreover, treatment with high levels of NaF resulted in a marked increase in terminal dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells in the outer layer of the outer root sheath, the dermal sheath, and the lower bulb matrix surrounding dermal papilla. Furthermore, the enhanced apoptosis was coupled with an increased oxidative stress manifested as higher malondialdehyde content. Additionally, the presence of selenium considerably antagonized the effects of middle NaF on hair follicles, with regard to either the suppression of hair regrowth or the induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis. In conclusion, exposure to high levels of fluoride compromises hair regrowth…. .

Clin Interv Aging. 2006 June; 1(2): 121¨C129.

Pharmacologic interventions in aging hair
Ralph Trieb

Edited exerpt

Photoprotection of hair and scalp

…. Topically applied UV protectors may offer the best way to protect skin against sunburn and the chronic pathologic effects of UVR. Their use on the hair-bearing scalp is problematic, unless complete baldness is present. Although hats provide the best protection of the scalp from UVR, not all patients find them convenient or acceptable for this purpose. While protection of the hair against photodamage has been extensively studied, there are no data on photoprotection of the hair-bearing scalp. It has been found that hair dyes may protect hair against photodamage; recent experimental work indicate that cinnamidpropyltrimonium chloride, a quaternized UV absorber, delivered from a shampoo system, is suitable for photoprotection of hair, while simultaneously providing an additional conditional benefit on hair; and solid lipid nanoparticles have been developed as novel carriers of UV blockers for the use on skin and hair, while offering photoprotection on their own by reflecting and scattering UVR. Finally, systemic photoprotection has been the focus of more recent investigation, in as much as this would overcome some of the problems associated with the topical use of sunscreens: Preclinical studies illustrate photoprotective properties of supplemented antioxidants, particularly beta-carotene (pro-vitamin A), ¦Á-tocopherol, and L-ascorbate (vitamin C). snip…Recent advances in the care of aging hair and scalp are anti-aging compounds. Due to water dilution and short contact time, anti-aging compounds do not have any effect in shampoos….snip..

…..In the course of hormonal anti-aging protocols containing recombinant human growth hormone at the Palm Springs Life Extension Institute, Chein (1998) reports improvement of hair thickness and structure in 38% of patients, in some cases darkening of hair, and in few increased hair regrowth. It is noteworthy that in primary growth hormone insensitivity, hair growth, and hair structure (but not hair color) have been shown to be impaired.

Dr Proctor’s note: We discovered and patented the hair-regrowth stimulating effects of antioxidants decades ago.

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2009

Latanoprost in the treatment of eyelash hair loss in alopecia areata universalis.

Modified and edited for hair loss treatment blog

Coronel-Pérez IM, et al

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of latanoprost in eyelash alopecia areata (AA). Design This study is a 2-year prospective, non-blinded, non-randomized, bilateral eyelash alopecia controlled study. Setting The setting of this study was Trichology Unit, Virgen Macarena University Hospital, Seville, Spain. Patients We conducted a survey of 54 subjects with AA universalis treated with the protocol of the Trichology Unit of our Department.
Control group comprised 10 subjects who received injections of 0.5 mg/cm(2) of triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) in their eyebrows and 1 mg/cm(2) of TAC injections in affected scalp. The treatment group included 44 subjects who received the same treatment as the control group in scalp and eyebrows but they also applied a drop of latanoprost 0.005% (50 mug/mL) ophthalmic solution in their eyelid margins every night. Subjects were reviewed every 3 months for 2 years. Results Forty subjects finished the study and four subjects were lost to follow-up. In the treatment arm of this study, the course was well tolerated and uncomplicated. Both investigators and patients evaluated the regrowth. The results we obtained were: complete hair regrowth in 17.5%, moderate regrowth in 27.5%, slight regrowth in 30% and without response in 25%. Moderate and total hair regrowth constituted a cosmetically acceptable response. The treatment was continuous and the response remained without any side effects. No patients had cosmetically acceptable eyelash regrowth in the control group. Conclusions Latanoprost may be an effective drug in the treatment of eyelash AA because it induces acceptable responses (total and moderate) in 45% of the patients. A formal, blinded prospective unilateral controlled study will permit further understanding about this promising therapeutic agent for eyelash AA.

Modified and edited for hair loss treatment blog