Human Hair Follicles Contain Two Forms of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels, Only One Sensitive to Minoxidil

February 2008 in “ The FASEB Journal ”

Katie Shorter, Nilofer Farjo, Steven M. Picksley, Valerie A. Randall

ATP-sensitive potassium channels minoxidil hair follicles KATP channel blockers tolbutamide hair growth therapies topical formulation Rogaine

TLDR One minoxidil-sensitive potassium channel exists in human hair follicles.

This document discusses a study that found human hair follicles contain two forms of ATP-sensitive potassium channels, but only one of them is sensitive to minoxidil, a drug used to treat hair loss. The study suggests that understanding the specific forms of these channels present in hair follicles could lead to the development of more effective hair growth therapies. The study also found that KATP channel blockers, such as tolbutamide, may be able to be harnessed to reduce hair growth, ideally in a topical formulation.

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Research cited in this study

27 / 27 results

research Hormonal Regulation of Hair Follicles Exhibits a Biological Paradox

98 citations, February 2007 in “Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology”

Androgens can both stimulate and cause hair loss, and understanding their effects is key to treating hair disorders.

Human Hair Growth Ex Vivo Is Correlated With In Vivo Hair Growth: Selective Categorization of Hair Follicles for More Reliable Hair Follicle Organ Culture

research Human Hair Growth Ex Vivo Is Correlated With In Vivo Hair Growth: Selective Categorization of Hair Follicles for More Reliable Hair Follicle Organ Culture

27 citations, November 2005 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

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research Potassium Channel Therapeutics at the Bedside

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Potassium channel openers are effective in treating heart conditions, high blood pressure, pulmonary diseases, bladder issues, and hair loss, but more selective drugs are needed.

research Management of Hair Loss

74 citations, April 2005 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Minoxidil and finasteride are effective for male hair loss, minoxidil for female hair loss, and various treatments like corticosteroids work for alopecia areata; treatment should be tailored to the individual.

Novel and Established Potassium Channel Openers Stimulate Hair Growth In Vitro: Implications for Their Modes of Action in Hair Follicles

research Novel and Established Potassium Channel Openers Stimulate Hair Growth In Vitro: Implications for Their Modes of Action in Hair Follicles

35 citations, March 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Potassium channel openers like minoxidil help hair grow by acting on hair follicles.

research Cultured Human and Rat Tooth Papilla Cells Induce Hair Follicle Regeneration and Fiber Growth

48 citations, December 2004 in “Differentiation”

Tooth papilla cells can help regenerate hair follicles and grow hair.

research Limitations of Human Occipital Scalp Hair Follicle Organ Culture for Studying the Effects of Minoxidil as a Hair Growth Enhancer

30 citations, September 2004 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Scalp hair follicle culture has limits for testing minoxidil's hair growth effects.

research Effect of Minoxidil on Proliferation and Apoptosis in Dermal Papilla Cells of Human Hair Follicle

149 citations, April 2004 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by increasing cell production and survival.

research Minoxidil: Mechanisms of Action on Hair Growth

397 citations, February 2004 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by opening potassium channels and increasing cell activity.

research Animal and in vitro Models for the Study of Hair Follicles

45 citations, June 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

research A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

269 citations, August 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

5% minoxidil works better for hair growth and density, with minor irritation.

Minoxidil-Induced Hair Growth Is Mediated by Adenosine in Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells: Possible Involvement of Sulfonylurea Receptor 2B as a Target of Minoxidil

research Minoxidil-Induced Hair Growth Is Mediated by Adenosine in Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells: Possible Involvement of Sulfonylurea Receptor 2B as a Target of Minoxidil

83 citations, December 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by targeting adenosine and possibly sulfonylurea receptor 2B.

Changes in Hair Weight and Hair Count in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia After Application of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil, Placebo, or No Treatment

research Changes in Hair Weight and Hair Count in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia After Application of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil, Placebo, or No Treatment

115 citations, November 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil increases hair weight and count temporarily in men with hair loss.

Minoxidil Increases 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and 5α-Reductase Activity in Cultured Human Dermal Papilla Cells from Balding Scalp

research Minoxidil Increases 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and 5α-Reductase Activity in Cultured Human Dermal Papilla Cells from Balding Scalp

34 citations, February 1999 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Minoxidil boosts enzymes that help hair growth.

research The Induction by Topical Minoxidil of Increased Fenestration in the Perifollicular Capillary Wall

12 citations, February 1999 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil increased small openings in blood vessel walls near growing hair in rats.

research Minoxidil Upregulates the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Human Hair Dermal Papilla Cells

192 citations, March 1998 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts growth factor in hair cells, potentially promoting hair growth.

research Effects of Self-Perceived Hair Loss in a Community Sample of Men

74 citations, January 1998 in “Dermatology”

Men who think they are losing hair feel worse about themselves, especially if they are younger.

research Biphasic Effects of Minoxidil on the Proliferation and Differentiation of Normal Human Keratinocytes

34 citations, January 1997 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology”

Minoxidil affects cell growth in two ways: low doses increase growth, while high doses slow it down and can be toxic.

research Whole Hair Follicle Culture

57 citations, October 1996 in “Dermatologic clinics”

HA-MNs with MXD effectively treat hair loss better than topical MXD with fewer side effects.

Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Sulfation Mechanisms in the Biological Actions of Minoxidil

research The History of the Development of Minoxidil

23 citations, October 1988 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

Minoxidil was first made for high blood pressure, but it was later found to help hair growth.

research Long-Term Follow-Up of Men with Male Pattern Baldness Treated with Topical Minoxidil

51 citations, March 1987 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Minoxidil keeps most hair growth from first year and twice-daily use is better with few side effects.

Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography

research Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography

137 citations, May 1984 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil increases blood flow in balding scalps, possibly reversing hair loss.

research Hypertrichosis Due to Minoxidil

45 citations, November 1979 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil causes excessive hair growth in almost all patients.

Related Research

2 / 2 results

research Human Hair Follicles Contain Two Forms of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels, Only One Sensitive to Minoxidil

102 citations, February 2008 in “The FASEB Journal”

One minoxidil-sensitive potassium channel exists in human hair follicles.

research Novel and Established Potassium Channel Openers Stimulate Hair Growth In Vitro: Implications for Their Modes of Action in Hair Follicles

35 citations, March 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Potassium channel openers like minoxidil help hair grow by acting on hair follicles.

Human Hair Follicles Contain Two Forms of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels, Only One Sensitive to Minoxidil

Research cited in this study

research Hormonal Regulation of Hair Follicles Exhibits a Biological Paradox

research Human Hair Growth Ex Vivo Is Correlated With In Vivo Hair Growth: Selective Categorization of Hair Follicles for More Reliable Hair Follicle Organ Culture

research Potassium Channel Therapeutics at the Bedside

research Management of Hair Loss

research Novel and Established Potassium Channel Openers Stimulate Hair Growth In Vitro: Implications for Their Modes of Action in Hair Follicles

research Cultured Human and Rat Tooth Papilla Cells Induce Hair Follicle Regeneration and Fiber Growth

research Limitations of Human Occipital Scalp Hair Follicle Organ Culture for Studying the Effects of Minoxidil as a Hair Growth Enhancer

research Effect of Minoxidil on Proliferation and Apoptosis in Dermal Papilla Cells of Human Hair Follicle

research Minoxidil: Mechanisms of Action on Hair Growth

research Animal and in vitro Models for the Study of Hair Follicles

research A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

research Minoxidil-Induced Hair Growth Is Mediated by Adenosine in Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells: Possible Involvement of Sulfonylurea Receptor 2B as a Target of Minoxidil

research Changes in Hair Weight and Hair Count in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia After Application of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil, Placebo, or No Treatment

research Minoxidil Increases 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and 5α-Reductase Activity in Cultured Human Dermal Papilla Cells from Balding Scalp

research The Induction by Topical Minoxidil of Increased Fenestration in the Perifollicular Capillary Wall

research Minoxidil Upregulates the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Human Hair Dermal Papilla Cells

research Effects of Self-Perceived Hair Loss in a Community Sample of Men

research Biphasic Effects of Minoxidil on the Proliferation and Differentiation of Normal Human Keratinocytes

research Whole Hair Follicle Culture

research Enzymatic and Non-Enzymatic Sulfation Mechanisms in the Biological Actions of Minoxidil

research An In Vitro Model for the Study of Human Hair Growth

research Five-Year Follow-Up of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Treated with Topical Minoxidil

research Minoxidil Stimulates Mouse Vibrissae Follicles in Organ Culture

research The History of the Development of Minoxidil

research Long-Term Follow-Up of Men with Male Pattern Baldness Treated with Topical Minoxidil

research Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography

research Hypertrichosis Due to Minoxidil

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research Human Hair Follicles Contain Two Forms of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels, Only One Sensitive to Minoxidil

research Novel and Established Potassium Channel Openers Stimulate Hair Growth In Vitro: Implications for Their Modes of Action in Hair Follicles