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

    January 2005
    Gareth Davies, M. Julie Thornton, Tracey J. Jenner, Yi‐Ju Chen, John Bondo Hansen, Richard D. Carr, Valerie A. Randall
    TLDR Potassium channel openers like minoxidil boost hair growth.
    The study investigated the effects of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel openers, such as minoxidil, diazoxide, and a novel opener NNC 55-0118, on hair growth using deer hair follicles in vitro. The results showed that these openers significantly increased hair growth, with minoxidil and NNC 55-0118 showing strong effects at various concentrations. In contrast, the inhibitor tolbutamide reduced growth and negated the effects of the openers, while glibenclamide had no effect on its own but blocked minoxidil's stimulation. The findings suggested that K(ATP) channel modulators act directly on hair follicles through channels involving SUR 1 and SUR 2 receptors, providing a practical bioassay for studying hair growth mechanisms.
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      community Creatine is the opposite of minoxidil !

      in Research/Science  323 upvotes 1 month ago
      Creatine may counteract minoxidil's hair growth effects by closing potassium ATP channels, potentially leading to hair loss in predisposed individuals. Despite anecdotal reports, there is no conclusive evidence linking creatine to hair loss.

      community Is this Better Than Topical Minoxidil? Topical Diazoxide

      in Research/Science  6 upvotes 7 months ago
      Topical diazoxide may be a promising hair regrowth treatment, especially for those who don't respond to minoxidil, as it activates potassium channels without needing sulfation. It appears safe for topical use, avoiding systemic effects seen in oral use.

      community The mechanism of androgenic alopecia

      in Research/Science  35 upvotes 2 months ago
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