Hair Growth Inhibition by Heparin in Mice: A Model System for Studying the Modulation of Epithelial Cell Growth by Glycosaminoglycans

The study investigated the effects of heparin, a glycosaminoglycan, on hair growth in anagen-induced C57 Bl-6 mice. It was found that intraperitoneal administration of heparin inhibited the development of anagen follicles, while topical application did not have the same effect. Heparin influenced skin epithelial cell functions in a dose- and hair cycle-dependent manner, increasing the synthesis of arginine-rich proteins in the epidermis and reducing epithelial bulb cell proliferation. The effects varied based on the hair cycle stage and cell type. The study concluded that heparin could be a valuable tool for understanding the role of glycosaminoglycans in epithelial cell biology and hair growth.