Local Injection of Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor Alters Cyclic Growth of Murine Hair Follicles

The study examined the impact of recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) on hair follicle growth in 15 male mice across different hair cycle stages. Mice received daily intradermal injections of 1 μg HGF/SF for 5 or 7 days. Results indicated that HGF/SF led to longer and larger hair follicles in newborn mice, delayed the transition from anagen to telogen in anagen mice, and increased hair follicle tissue in telogen mice, suggesting mild anagen inducible activity. Additionally, in 45-day-old male C3H mice during the telogen phase, HGF/SF injections significantly increased hair follicle size (p < 0.01) and slightly elongated hair length, though not significantly. The study concluded that HGF/SF acted as a paracrine factor with mild anagen-preservable and anagen-inducible activities, indicating its potential as a hair growth stimulant.