The Hair Loss Encyclopedia

Potassium Channel Openers Stimulate DNA Synthesis in Mouse Epidermal Keratinocyte and Whole Hair Follicle Cultures

January 1993 in “ Skin Pharmacology and Physiology ”

Charles S. Harmon, Diane Lutz, Janet Ducote

TLDR Potassium channel openers can boost hair growth by stimulating DNA in hair follicles.

The study investigated the effects of potassium channel openers on DNA synthesis in mouse epidermal keratinocyte and whole hair follicle cultures. It was found that minoxidil, pinacidil, diazoxide, and cromakalim stimulated DNA synthesis, suggesting that these agents could retard the loss of proliferative activity in differentiating keratinocytes. The results supported the hypothesis that potassium channel openers could stimulate hair growth by directly affecting hair follicles.

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