April 201322
Low-level light therapy for pattern hair loss was reported to improve hair density and thickness versus a sham device in a randomized trial. In an observational twin study, smoking, alcohol and stress were linked to more male hair loss, while hat use and higher BMI were linked to less temporal loss. A review of investigational drugs for pattern hair loss covered topical 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, prostaglandin analogs, platelet-rich plasma and stem cells, concluding that most still need stronger evidence. For alopecia areata, platelet-rich plasma injections produced more regrowth than triamcinolone or placebo in a controlled half-head trial. In mice, dermal papilla cell number was found to determine hair size, and its loss below a threshold stopped follicles regenerating.
- Low-Level Light Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia: A 24-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Sham Device–Controlled Multicenter Trial In a 40-person sham-controlled trial, 24 weeks of home-use low-level light therapy significantly improved hair density and thickness in AGA.
- The Contribution of Endogenous and Exogenous Factors to Male Alopecia A 92-twin study linked smoking, alcohol and stress to more male hair loss, and hat use and higher BMI to less temporal loss.
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, half-head study to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich plasma on alopecia areata In a 45-patient controlled trial, PRP injections increased hair regrowth more than triamcinolone or placebo in alopecia areata.
- Dermal papilla cell number specifies hair size, shape and cycling and its reduction causes follicular decline In mice, dermal papilla cell number dictates hair size, and its loss below a threshold stops follicles regenerating — suggesting new treatment angles.
- New investigational drugs for androgenetic alopecia A review outlines future AGA treatments — topical 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, prostaglandin analogs, PRP, stem cells — but notes most need more evidence.
- Hairless down-regulates expression of Msx2 and its related target genes in hair follicles In Hairpoor mice, the Hairless protein down-regulates Msx2 and its targets Foxn1 and Lef1, explaining abnormal follicle formation.
- Chronic Restraint Stress Inhibits Hair Growth via Substance P Mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species in Mice In mice, chronic restraint stress stalled hair growth via substance P and oxidative stress; antioxidants and SP blockers restored the hair cycle.
- Development of Autoimmune Hair Loss Disease Alopecia Areata Is Associated with Cardiac Dysfunction in C3H/HeJ Mice Mice with alopecia areata showed cardiac hypertrophy and inflammatory changes consistent with heart dysfunction.
- Hair Loss in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease A review finds telogen effluvium from IBD flares is the likely commonest cause of hair loss in IBD and offers a management guide.
- Analysis of hair follicle penetration of lidocaine and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 4 kDa using hair follicle-plugging method In pig skin, hair follicles are an important entry route for ionized and large hydrophilic drugs, while uncharged drugs mainly cross the stratum corneum.
- Microscopic Hair Changes Associated with Hair Coloring, Hair Waving and Hair Ironing in Iranian Women In 154 Iranian women, hair dyeing, waving and ironing each caused significantly more microscopic shaft abnormalities than untreated hair.
- Docetaxel and permanent alopecia docetaxel and permanent alopecia.
- Proteomic analysis of balding and non-balding mesenchyme-derived dermal papilla cells from androgenetic alopecia patients using on-line two-dimensional reversed phase-reversed phase LC–MS/MS Proteomic analysis found 140 differentially expressed proteins in balding versus non-balding dermal papilla cells from AGA patients.
- Preventive Effects of Monascus on Androgen-Related Diseases: Androgenetic Alopecia, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, and Prostate Cancer Monascus extract suppressed baldness in mice and lowered DHT and tumor growth in rats, suggesting a candidate for androgen-related diseases.
- An In Vitro Model for the Morphogenesis of Hair Follicle Dermal Papillae an in vitro model for the morphogenesis of hair follicle dermal papillae.
- Cast application of four weeks' duration significantly affects hair length, diameter and density Leg casts worn at least four weeks significantly increased hair length, diameter and density on the cast side in 14 patients.
- Perivascular Hair Follicle Stem Cells Associate with a Venule Annulus In mice, hair follicle stem cells in the upper bulge sit within a persistent cuff of small veins, suggesting a perivascular niche.
- Keratinocyte Stem Cells but Not Melanocyte Stem Cells Are the Primary Target for Radiation-Induced Hair Graying In mice, radiation-induced hair graying primarily targets keratinocyte stem cells rather than melanocyte stem cells.
- Inhibitory effect of tianeptine on catagen induction in alopecia areata-like lesions induced by ultrasonic wave stress in mice Oral tianeptine suppressed catagen induction and promoted hair growth in a stress-induced alopecia areata mouse model.
- Brg1 Governs a Positive Feedback Circuit in the Hair Follicle for Tissue Regeneration and Repair In mice, the chromatin remodeler Brg1 forms a feedback loop with Shh signaling essential for hair follicle stem cell maintenance and regeneration.
- Linking Morphogen and Chromatin in the Hair Follicle A commentary highlights Brg1's role in hair follicle stem cell maintenance via a Shh feedback loop.
- Reduced level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in chronic/relapsing Alopecia Areata Patients with chronic/relapsing alopecia areata showed vitamin D insufficiency, suggesting possible clinical use of vitamin D.