Sulfation of Minoxidil in Keratinocytes and Hair Follicles and the Stimulatory Effect of Minoxidil on the Biosynthesis of Glycosaminoglycans
December 2006
in “
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
”
TLDR Minoxidil boosts hair growth by undergoing a process in hair follicles and certain skin cells, and by increasing the production of compounds essential for hair growth and maintenance.
The study conducted 16 years ago found that Minoxidil (MNX), a potent vasodilator known for stimulating hair growth, undergoes sulfation in hair follicles and proliferating keratinocytes. The research showed that the sulfation of MNX increased with concentration in these cells, with higher activity in proliferating cells than in differentiating ones. The study also found that MNX did not undergo sulfation in fibroblasts. Furthermore, the study revealed that MNX has a direct effect on the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAG), a group of compounds that play a crucial role in the growth and maintenance of hair. The incorporation of radioactivity into GAG increased in a dose-dependent manner with MNX treatment. This suggests that the action of MNX in promoting hair growth involves more than just increasing blood flow to hair follicles.
