Comparison of Young and Adult Rat Models of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

January 2014 in “ Journal of Clinical and Investigative Dermatology ”

Jimenez Joaquin J

TLDR Young rats are better for testing hair loss treatments after chemotherapy.

This study compared young and adult rat models of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) to evaluate their effectiveness in mimicking clinical and microscopic findings of CIA. Young rats, naturally synchronized in anagen, developed total alopecia after chemotherapy, while adult rats showed alopecia only in clipped areas. Histological analysis revealed similar hair follicle dystrophy in both models 10 days post-chemotherapy. Heat shock treatment provided localized protection against CIA in both young and adult rats. The study concluded that the young rat model might be more suitable for screening protective compounds due to its development of total alopecia.

View this study on avensonline.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research Pathobiology of Chemotherapy-Induced Hair Loss

218 citations , January 2013 in “The Lancet Oncology”

Chemotherapy causes hair loss by damaging hair follicles and stem cells, with more research needed for prevention and treatment.

research Permanent Alopecia After Systemic Chemotherapy: A Clinicopathological Study of 10 Cases

57 citations , March 2011 in “The American Journal of Dermatopathology”

Chemotherapy can cause permanent, non-reversible hair loss similar to pattern baldness.

research Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia: Emotional Distress and Mitigation Strategies

155 citations , March 2009 in “Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery”

Scalp cooling might reduce hair loss from chemotherapy, but evidence is weak and other treatments are being tested.

research Protection Against Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

97 citations , September 2006 in “Pharmaceutical Research”

No treatment fully prevents hair loss from chemotherapy yet.

research A Guide to Assessing Damage Response Pathways of the Hair Follicle: Lessons From Cyclophosphamide-Induced Alopecia in Mice

106 citations , June 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

The document concludes that assessing hair follicle damage due to cyclophosphamide in mice involves analyzing structural changes and suggests a scoring system for standardized evaluation.

research Chronic Telogen Effluvium: Increased Scalp Hair Shedding in Middle-Aged Women

234 citations , December 1996 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Middle-aged women with chronic telogen effluvium experience increased hair shedding but usually don't get significantly thinner hair.

Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Mice: Induction by Cyclophosphamide, Inhibition by Cyclosporine A, and Modulation by Dexamethasone

research Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Mice: Induction by Cyclophosphamide, Inhibition by Cyclosporine A, and Modulation by Dexamethasone

36 citations , April 1994 in “PubMed”

Cyclosporine A slows down hair loss from chemotherapy in mice, while dexamethasone increases hair loss but speeds up regrowth.