Kenogen. A new phase of the hair cycle?

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Dermatology 2002;205(2):108-10

Kenogen. A new phase of the hair cycle?

BACKGROUND: A novel phenomenon has been described by the phototrichogram: the emptiness of the follicle after teloptosis. We called this phenomenon kenogen, from the Greek kappaepsilonnuovarsigma, 'empty'. OBJECTIVE: To describe the kenogen phase in its details. METHODS: Analysis of the existing literature. RESULTS: The original observation in 2 women was confirmed in 10 balding and non-balding males studied for 14 years in whom kenogen lasted about 4 months increasing up to about 7 months and affecting 80% of all hair cycles. In 2 women with progressing androgenetic alopecia studied for 2 years, kenogen involved 22% of the hair follicles, lasting from 3 months to 1 year. In a prepubertal boy studied for 1 year, it involved 8% of hairs and lasted about 2 months. CONCLUSION: During kenogen, the hair follicle rests physiologically, but duration and frequency are greater in androgenetic alopecia, possibly accounting for baldness. In addition to the classical cycle, the hair follicle may follow an alternative route during which the telogen phase, not accompanied by a coincident new early anagen, ends with teloptosis leaving the follicle empty.

Eur J Dermatol 2002 Jul-Aug;12(4):327-34

Diphencyprone immunotherapy alters anti-hair follicle antibody status in patients with alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a relatively common reversible hair loss disorder usually manifesting as patchy areas of complete hair loss on the scalp and other body parts that can progress to complete loss of all body hair. This condition is now generally assumed to be an autoimmune disease with the hair follicle (HF) as the principal target tissue. AA may be passively transferred by T cells and there is some evidence that serum IgG may also disturb hair cycling. Here, we examine whether the status of anti-HF antibody reactivity is altered during hair regrowth associated with topical immunotherapy using the contact sensitizer diphencyprone. Eleven patients with severe AA of the scalp were treated with diphencyprone on one side of the scalp and serum was obtained from each patient before the start of therapy, after unilateral hair regrowth, during continuing hair regrowth and in some cases after complete and sustained regrowth. The presence and titer of circulating antibodies to HF was assessed by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoblotting analysis. A striking reduction was detected in both the titer and range of HF components/antigens targeted by anti-hair follicle IgG antibodies in those patients that exhibited complete and sustained hair regrowth after DCP-treatment. By contrast, unilateral hair regrowth was associated with no change, or even an increase, in anti-HF antibody titer and reactivity. Therefore we can conclude that the down-regulation of antibody reactivity is likely to be a result rather than the cause of hair regrowth induction by topical immunotherapy. As this immunotherapy is associated with a reduction in the titer/pattern of anti-HF antibodies, these may hold the key to the identity of the HF antigen targets in AA. Moreover, the presence/titer of anti-HF antibodies may be a marker of clinical disease activity or opportunity for spontaneous regrowth.

Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi 2001 Jul-Sep;105(3):533-5

Endocrinological disorders in association with alopecia areata-a 27 patients study

Alopecia areata is a dermatological disease, characterized by the loss of hair, which affect men, women and children and can evaluate alone or in association with a variety of other disorders. Between these endocrinological diseases, especial thyroid disorders, have a high incidence. Twenty-seven patients with alopecia areata (12 women and 15 men) aged between 3 and 46 years were endocrinologically investigated. Eighteen of them (66.6%) had endocrinological disorders. Thyroid diseases were present in 10 cases (37%): 4 cases with endemic goiter, 2 cases with nodular goiter and 4 cases with hypothyroidism (1 case with autoimmune thyroiditis, 1 case with nodular goiter, 1 case with cystic goiter and 1 case with hypothyroidism post thyroidectomy for thyroidal lymphoma). Twelve cases (44.4%) were found with tetania. The incidence of thyroid diseases in alopecia areata is higher then in general population (2%), as well as the incidence of tetania. These evidences suggest that it is necessary to make a screening of endocrinological disorders in patients with alopecia areata.

Ther Umsch 2002 May;59(5):217-22

Diffuse hair loss in women

The complaint "Doctor, I am losing my hair" represents a particular challenge to the physician, and involves making a specific diagnosis, selecting an appropriate therapy, and expressing empathy for the patient's anxiety. Diffuse hair loss in women was formerly classified as an entity of its own. Since the identification of female pattern hair loss, most cases have been recognized to be due to androgenetic alopecia, often during phases of life characterized by fluctuations of sexual hormone levels or in connection with intake or cessation of hormonal therapy. The most difficult differential diagnosis includes androgenetic alopecia, chronic telogen effluvium, and psychogenic pseudo efflvuium. Androgenetic alopecia is due to androgen-induced, non-synchronized, progressive shortening of the hair growth cycle and gradually leads to thinning of the central scalp area. Idiopathic chronic telogen effluvium typically occurs in women, starting abruptly without a recognizable initiating factor, and involves the entire scalp area with increased shedding of telogen hair. It is believed to be due to synchronization phenomena of the cyclic hair growth. Psychogenic pseudo effluvium affects fashion-oriented, self-conscious women suffering of a discrepancy between the actual state of their hair and idealized expectations. Later the problem of age-related hair thinning oft becomes a surrogate for the more generalized problem of senescence. Rational therapy of androgenetic alopecia aims at blocking the androgen effect on hair follicles with estrogens and antiandrogens or at pharmacologically reversing vellus hair transformation with topical minoxidil. In contrast, women with idiopathic chronic telogen effluvium should be reassured that their problem is rather a state of exaggerated "hair shedding" than of actual "hair loss".

Being such a complex biological process, hair growth biology is still a work in progress. Noetheless, several therapeutic methods, including drugs, surgery, and suppelements have been in use to help those who attempt to restore their hair. None of these approaches are perfect due to the diversity in the causes underlying hair loss. Also, most of chemical drugs and hair transplantation surgeries are accompanied by undesirable side effects.

DreamPharm offers Hair Million to address hair loss problems. Numerous anecdotal cases have demonstrated that this herbal formula based on authentic Chinese herbs actually improves the age-related hair thinning and hair loss among a significant fraction of people who take it regularly. We still do not understand the mechanisms of action as to how Hair Million works to stop hair loss and promote hair growth, despite all the positive anecdotal observations. Neither scientific research nor placebo controlled clinical analysis has been conducted because it will cost dearly. Lack of scientific/clinical research is quite common in herbal arena. Just because science hasn't scrutinized we should not stop taking daily food and herbal supplements altogether: our life must go on until we have better understandings of food and herb. There are two merits in this hair restoration herbal formula: Firstly, Hair Million is relatively inexpensive, and secondly, it is made of edible herbs that are known to be safe when consumed in regular quantities. For scientifically proven prescription medication, check Propecia.

DHEA has been suggested to provide numerous potential benefits. DHEA (or dehydroepiandrosterone) is converted into androgens (male hormones) or estrogens (female hormones) in the cells.

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