July 201415
Topical finasteride 0.25% in men cut plasma DHT similarly to the 1 mg tablet with far lower finasteride exposure, suggesting reduced systemic drug levels. Balding in Japanese men was found to be driven by follicle miniaturization, with fewer thick and more vellus hairs, rather than by loss of hair density. Corticosteroids and sensitizing agents were reported effective for alopecia areata, though the reviewing authors noted most included studies had major limitations. Heparan sulfate deletion in mice was shown to keep follicles in anagen, accelerate regrowth and trigger new follicle formation, a lab finding with no established human application.
- A novel finasteride 0.25% topical solution for androgenetic alopecia: pharmacokinetics and effects on plasma androgen levels in healthy male volunteers In 24 healthy men, a finasteride 0.25% topical solution cut plasma DHT similarly to the 1 mg tablet with far lower finasteride exposure.
- Evidence for supplemental treatments in androgenetic alopecia. A review examines the evidence for alternative hair-loss treatments including biotin, caffeine, melatonin, a marine extract, and zinc.
- Ethnic Considerations in Hair Restoration Surgery A review covers follicular unit extraction, strip grafting and eyebrow, beard and hairline surgeries across ethnic groups.
- Contribution of hair density and hair diameter to the appearance and progression of androgenetic alopecia in Japanese men In 369 Japanese men, balding was driven by follicle miniaturization (fewer thick, more vellus hairs) rather than loss of hair density.
- Alopecia Areata: An Evidence-Based Treatment Update A review of 29 trials found topical and oral corticosteroids and sensitizing agents effective for alopecia areata, though most studies had major limitations.
- Heparan Sulfate Regulates Hair Follicle and Sebaceous Gland Morphogenesis and Homeostasis Deleting heparan sulfate in mouse skin kept follicles in anagen, accelerated regrowth and triggered new follicle formation.
- Neuroendocrinology of the hair follicle: principles and clinical perspectives A review describes how neurohormones such as TRH and prolactin regulate hair follicle growth and pigmentation, suggesting new targets.
- The Thinning Top: Why Old People Have Less Hair A commentary highlights follistatin as a possible way to rebalance stem cell signals behind age-related hair thinning.
- Parathyroid hormone-related peptide and the hair cycle - is it the agonists or the antagonists that cause hair growth? A review concludes PTHrP agonists, not antagonists, would be expected to promote hair growth in damaged-follicle models.
- Polymeric nanoparticles-embedded organogel for roxithromycin delivery to hair follicles Roxithromycin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles in organogel achieved preferential targeting of the pilosebaceous unit in ex vivo human skin.
- Complex Changes in the Apoptotic and Cell Differentiation Programs during Initiation of the Hair Follicle Response to Chemotherapy In doxorubicin-treated human hair follicles, TRAIL receptor signaling mediated chemotherapy-induced apoptosis, suggesting possible intervention targets.
- Impact of phototrichogram education on satisfaction of patients with androgenetic alopecia in clinical practice study looks at whether phototrichogram education improves satisfaction of androgenetic alopecia patients in practice.
- FGF5 is a crucial regulator of hair length in humans FGF5 mutations caused extreme eyelash growth in families, identifying FGF5 as a key regulator of human hair length and a therapeutic target.
- The Dermal Papilla: An Instructive Niche for Epithelial Stem and Progenitor Cells in Development and Regeneration of the Hair Follicle A review covers the dermal papilla's role in regulating hair shaft characteristics and follicle regeneration.
- Localization of S100A2, S100A4, S100A6, S100A7, and S100P in the human hair follicle. Immunohistochemistry maps five S100 proteins to distinct hair follicle compartments, suggesting each plays a different role in normal follicle function.