Original Article

Journal of Investigative Dermatology (1993) 101, 143S–147S; doi:10.1111/1523-1747.ep12363275

Chemical Agents and Peptides Affect Hair Growth

Hideo Uno1 and Sotaro Kurata2

  1. 1Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center, School of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
  2. 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A.
Top

Abstract

During the past decade we have examined both the therapeutic and the prophylactic effects of several agents on the macaque model of androgenetic alopecia. Minoxidil and diazoxide, potent hypotensive agents acting as peripheral vasodilators, are known to have a hypertrichotic side effect. Topical use of both agents induced significant hair regrowth in the bald scalps of macaques. The application of a steroid Sa-reductase inhibitor (4MA) in non-bald preadolescent macaques has prevented baldness, whereas controls developed it during 2 years of treatment. The effects of hair growth were determined by 1) phototrichogram, 2) folliculogram (micro-morphometric analysis), and 3) the rate of DNA synthesis in the follicular cells. These effects were essentially a stimulation of the follicular cell proliferation, resulting in an enlargement of the anagen follicles from vellus to terminal type (therapy) or a maintenance of the prebald terminal follicles (prevention). A copper binding peptide (PC1031) had the effect of follicular enlargement on the back skin of fuzzy rats, covering the vellus follicles; the effect was similar to that of topical minoxidil.

Analyzing the quantitative sequences of follicular size and cyclic phases, we speculate on the effect of agents on follicular growth. We also discuss the triggering mechanism of androgen in the follicular epithelial-mesenchymal (dermal papilla) interaction.

Top

References

  1. Livingston, MD, Petersen, D, Boks, LL: Hypertrichosis occurring in association with Dilantin therapy. J Pediatr 47: 351–352, 1955
  2. Burton, JL, Schutt, WHS, Caldwell, IW: Hypertrichosis due to diazoxide. Br J Dermatol 93: 707–711, 1975 | PubMed | ISI | ChemPort |
  3. Meier, A, Weidmann, P, Gluck, Z, Keusch, G, Grimm, M, Minder, I, Reubi, FC: Vergleich von oralem Diazoxid und Minoxidil bei therapieresistenter Hypertonie. Klin Wochenschr 58: 681–687, 1980
  4. Parker, LN, Lifrak, ET, Odell, WD: Lack of a gonadal or adrenal androgenic mechanism for the hypertrichosis produced by diazoxide, phenytoin and minoxidil. Biochem Pharmacol 31: 1948–1950, 1982
  5. Greenblatt, RB: Hirsutism: ancestral curse or endocrinopathy. In: Greenblatt RB, Mahesh VB, Gambrell RD Jr (eds.). The Cause and Management of Hirsutism The Parthenon Publishing Group, Park Ridge, NJ, pp 17–30, 1987
  6. Karpas, AE: Iatrogenic hirsutistn. In: Greenblatt RB, Mahesh VB, Gambrell RD Jr (eds.). The Cause and Management of Hirsutism The Parthenon Publishing Group, Park Ridge NJ, pp 61–70, 1987
  7. Uno, H: The histopathology of hair loss. In: Current Concepts 1988 Scope Publications, Upjohn, Kalamazoo, (monograph)
  8. Uno, H,:Stumptailed macaques as a model of male-pattern baldness. In: Maibach HI, Lowe NJ (eds.). Models in Dermatology S. Karger AG, Basel, pp 159–169, 1987
  9. Uno, H, Alsum, PB, Bauers, K, de Waal, FBM: Serum androgens in stumptailed macaques (Macaco arctoides). In: Ehara A, et al (eds.). Primatology Today Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., pp 419–420, 1991
  10. Rittmaster, RS, Uno, H, Povar, ML, Mellin, TN, Loriaux, DL: The effect of 4-MA, a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor and anti-androgen, on the development of baldness in the stumptail macaque. J Endocrinol Metab 65: 188–193, 1987
  11. Uno, H: Quantitative models for the study of hair growth in vivo. NY Acad Sci 642: 107–124, 1991
  12. Brigham, PA, Cappas, A, Uno, H: The stumptailed macaque as a model for androgenic alopecia: effects of topical minoxidil analyzed by use of the follicugram. Clinics Dermatol 6: 177–187, 1988
  13. Uno, H, Cappas, A, Brigham, P: Action of topical minoxidil in the bald stumptailed macaque. J Am Acad Dermatol 16: 657–668, 1987 | PubMed | ISI | ChemPort |
  14. Uno, H, Kemnitz, JW, Cappas, A, Adachi, K, Sakuma, MS, Kamoda, H: The effects of topical diazoxide on hair follicular growth and physiology of the stumptailed macaque. J Dermatol Sci 1: 183–194, 1990
  15. Kubilus, J, Kvedar, JC, Baden, HP: Effect of minoxidil on pre- and postconfluent keratinocyte. J Am Acad Dermatol 16: 648–652, 1987
  16. Dieni, AR, Mulholland, MJ, Shull, KL, Kubicek, MF, Johnson, GA, Schostarez, HJ, Brunden, MN, Buhl, AE: Hair growth effects of oral administration of finasteride, a steroid 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, alone and in combination with topical minoxidil in the balding stumptailed macaque. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 74: 345–350, 1992
  17. Itami, S, Kurata, S, Sonoda, T, Takayasu, S: Mechanism of action of androgen in dermal papilla cells. Ann NY Acad Sci 642: 385–395, 1991

Extra navigation

.
ADVERTISEMENT