The Effect of Botulinum Toxin on Hair Follicle Cell Regeneration Under Continuous Stress Conditions: A Pilot Animal Study

This pilot animal study investigated the effects of botulinum toxin (BTX) type A on hair follicle cell regeneration under continuous stress conditions using 30 C57BL/6 mice. Hair loss was induced, and the mice were divided into three groups: control (CTL), stress (STRESS), and BTX + STRESS. The study found that continuous stress delayed hair follicle regeneration, with the STRESS group showing less hair growth and increased levels of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells and Substance P (SP) immunoreactivity. In contrast, the BTX + STRESS group exhibited an almost normal hair regeneration cycle, similar to the CTL group. These results suggest that BTX may mitigate the negative effects of stress on hair growth, indicating its potential as a treatment for hair loss.