Potential Mechanisms of Minoxidil-Induced Hair Growth in Alopecia Areata

The study explored the mechanisms by which topical minoxidil induced hair growth in alopecia areata. It was found that minoxidil led to changes in the follicular epithelium, reduced tissue lymphocyte populations, and increased peripheral blood lymphocyte counts. It also reopened previously closed perifollicular vessels. In vitro, minoxidil increased cell proliferation in murine epithelial cells and suppressed mitogen-induced blast transformation in human lymphocytes. The study suggested that minoxidil promoted hair regrowth through a combination of stimulating follicular epithelium and suppressing lymphocyte-mediated immune responses, with its vasodilatory properties also playing a role.