Epilating Effect of Cystaselenonine on Induced Hair Growth in Mice

The study investigated the effects of cystaselenonine, a selenium analog of cystathionine, on hair loss in mice. It was found that cystaselenonine caused hair loss specifically in older growing hairs that were 16 days old after mechanical epilation. Hair regrowth was delayed for 20 days when mice were treated with cystaselenonine for 12 days. Although the mice experienced weight loss during treatment, they eventually recovered. The mechanism of action was suggested to involve interference with sulfhydryl metabolism in the keratogenous zone of the hair follicle, rather than affecting mitosis.