TLDR IGF-I promotes hair growth by keeping hair follicles in the growth phase longer.
The study found that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) promoted hair growth by extending the anagen phase and increasing hair growth rate in an organ culture model of 140 hair follicles from 3 individuals. IGF-I enhanced hair growth to 0.10 mm/day compared to 0.08 mm/day in the control group and maintained 70.8% of hair follicles in the anagen phase by day 12, versus 45.8% in controls. This effect was linked to IGF-I's anti-apoptotic properties and the upregulation of platelet-derived growth factors PDGF-A and PDGF-B, preventing hair follicles from entering the catagen phase.
136 citations
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June 2006 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” PDGF isoforms can promote and sustain hair growth.
55 citations
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September 2003 in “Experimental Dermatology” PDGF signaling may play a role in hair growth cycle regulation.
1113 citations
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August 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Hair follicle biology advancements may lead to better hair growth disorder treatments.
33 citations
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February 1999 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” IGF-1 increases whisker growth in transgenic mice.
122 citations
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July 1994 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”
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August 2019 in “Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets” New treatments for hair loss may target specific pathways and generate new hair follicles.