140 citations
,
October 2008 in “Nature Genetics”
111 citations
,
October 2008 in “Nature Genetics” In their study, Tim Spector and colleagues identified a new genetic association at chromosome 20p11.22 with male-pattern baldness, confirmed by the increased risk when combined with a known androgen receptor gene variant.
62 citations
,
March 2008 in “American Journal of Human Genetics” This study located a potential genetic link for androgenetic alopecia on chromosome 3q26, marking an early step in identifying new susceptibility genes for male pattern baldness.
102 citations
,
February 2008 in “The FASEB Journal” This study found that human hair follicles express ATP-sensitive potassium channels, suggesting that minoxidil acts on these channels and that drugs targeting them may treat hair disorders.
171 citations
,
July 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” The researchers reported that DHT-inducible DKK-1 may play a significant role in DHT-driven balding by inhibiting hair follicle cell growth and promoting apoptosis in androgenetic alopecia.
41 citations
,
June 2007 in “British Journal of Dermatology” This study found that men with Kennedy disease have a significantly lower risk of androgenetic alopecia, likely due to androgen receptor gene alterations from the disease's polyglutamine expansion.
103 citations
,
June 2007 in “Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America” This article discusses treatment options for androgenetic alopecia, noting that medical interventions like finasteride and minoxidil can halt and partially reverse hair loss in mild to moderate cases, especially when combined with surgery.
195 citations
,
June 2005 in “American Journal of Human Genetics” Genetic variation in the androgen receptor gene mainly causes early-onset hair loss, with maternal inheritance playing a key role.
397 citations
,
February 2004 in “British Journal of Dermatology” This article reviews the mechanisms by which minoxidil stimulates hair growth and reports no new clinical findings.
94 citations
,
August 2002 in “Experimental Dermatology” This study found that 17α‐estradiol increases aromatase activity in female hair follicles, which may explain its beneficial effects in treating androgenetic alopecia.
100 citations
,
September 1999 in “British Journal of Dermatology” This study suggests that finasteride's effect on promoting hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia may be due to its inhibition of 5aR2 localized in hair follicles.
34 citations
,
February 1999 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” This study found that minoxidil increased 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity by nearly 40% in dermal papilla cells from balding scalps but not in nonbalding scalp cells or dermal fibroblasts.
192 citations
,
March 1998 in “British Journal of Dermatology” This study found that minoxidil significantly increases VEGF mRNA and protein expression in dermal papilla cells, suggesting a role in enhancing hair follicle vascularization in androgenetic alopecia.
416 citations
,
September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.
32 citations
,
August 1996 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” 82 citations
,
March 1992 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”
53 citations
,
May 1990 in “Journal of Dermatology” In this animal study, topical minoxidil shortened the telogen phase of hair growth cycles in rats, suggesting it may stimulate certain follicles to progress more rapidly to anagen.
121 citations
,
March 1989 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Minoxidil can help grow hair in mice by making cells grow and improving hair quality. More research needed.
26 citations
,
January 1987 in “Archives of Dermatology” In this study, topical minoxidil did not show an antiandrogenic effect on androgen-dependent cutaneous structures in the golden Syrian hamster, suggesting it likely does not have this role in humans either.
137 citations
,
May 1984 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Minoxidil increases blood flow in balding scalps, possibly reversing hair loss.
100 citations
,
March 1973 in “American Journal of Cardiology” Minoxidil effectively lowers blood pressure without major side effects.