Fas and c-kit are involved in the control of hair follicle melanocyte apoptosis and migration in chemotherapy-induced hair loss.

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J Invest Dermatol 2003 Jan;120(1):27-35

Fas and c-kit are involved in the control of hair follicle melanocyte apoptosis and migration in chemotherapy-induced hair loss.

Chemotherapy alters the structure and function of hair follicle melanocytes. Molecular mechanisms controlling melanocyte responses during chemotherapy-induced hair loss, however, remain largely unknown. Using immunohistology and multicolor confocal microscopy, we show here that cyclophosphamide administration to C57BL/6 mice alters the activity and fate of hair follicle melanocytes. After 24-48 h, hair bulb melanocytes expressing Fas undergo apoptosis. The number of apoptotic follicular melanocytes is significantly reduced (p<0.01) in cyclophosphamide-treated Fas knockout mice compared to wild-type controls, suggesting that Fas signaling contributes to chemotherapy-induced melanocyte death. After 3-5 d, surviving hair bulb melanocytes express c-kit receptor, proliferate, and appear to migrate up the outer root sheath. Tyrosinase-positive and melanogenically active cells then appear in the epidermis. By Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, expression levels of the c-kit ligand, stem cell factor, in skin and epidermis are strongly increased after cyclophosphamide treatment. Cyclophosphamide-induced migration of the hair follicle melanocytes into epidermis is completely abrogated by administration of c-kit neutralizing antibody. These data suggest that chemotherapy induces a complex response in the hair follicle melanocytes, which includes apoptosis, proliferation, and migration. Pharmacologic manipulation of Fas and c-kit signaling pathways might be useful for the correction of skin hyperpigmentation as a side-effect of chemotherapy.

Australas J Dermatol 2002 Nov;43(4):311-2

Sensitization to saw palmetto and minoxidil in separate topical extemporaneous treatments for androgenetic alopecia.

We report a 24-year-old woman with androgenetic alopecia who became sensitized to topical minoxidil following use of an extemporaneous preparation of minoxidil 4% with retinoic acid in a propylene glycol base. She subsequently also became sensitized to saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), a topical herbal extract commonly promoted for the treatment of hair loss.

Dermatol Surg 2002 Oct;28(10):894-900; discussion 900

The potential role of minoxidil in the hair transplantation setting.

BACKGROUND: Over the last decade surgical management of hair loss has become an increasingly popular and satisfying procedure for both men and women, as innovations in donor harvesting, graft size, and hairline design have resulted in consistently natural-appearing hair restoration. OBJECTIVE: In addition, a better understanding of the regulation of the hair-growth cycle has led to advances in the pharmacologic treatment of androgenetic alopecia. METHODS: Currently there are two U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved agents that promote hair regrowth: over-the-counter topical minoxidil solution for men and women and prescription oral finasteride tablets for men. In October 2001, a group of 11 international experts on hair loss and hair transplantation convened to review the physiology and effects of pharmacologic treatments of hair loss and to discuss the value of administering topical minoxidil therapy as an adjunct to hair transplantation. RESULTS: This article presents the key findings and consensus points among the participants, including their current use of pharmacologic treatments, strategies for optimal results both pre- and postsurgery, and the importance of realistic patient expectations and compliance. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the surgeons' clinical experience, the use of approved hair regrowth agents in hair transplant patients with viable but suboptimally functioning follicles in the region to be transplanted can increase hair density, speed regrowth in transplanted follicles, and complement the surgical result by slowing down or stopping further hair loss.

J Dermatol 2002 Aug;29(8):489-98

Comparative efficacy of various treatment regimens for androgenetic alopecia in men.

Our understanding of the aetiology of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) has substantially increased in recent years. As a result, several treatment modalities have been tried with promising results especially in early stages of AGA. However, as far as has been ascertained, there is no comprehensive study comparing the efficacy of these agents alone and in combination with each other. One hundered male patients with AGA of Hamilton grades II to IV were enrolled in an open, randomized, parallel-group study, designed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of oral finasteride (1 mg per day), topical 2% minoxidil solution and topical 2% ketoconazole shampoo alone and in combination. They were randomized into four groups. Group I (30 patients) was administered oral finasteride, Group II (36 patients) was given a combination of finasteride and topical minoxidil, Group III (24 patients) applied minoxidil alone and Group IV (10 patients) was administered finasteride with topical ketoconazole. Treatment efficacy was assessed on the basis of patient and physician assessment scores and global photographic review during the study period of one year. At the end of one year, hair growth was observed in all the groups with best results recorded with a combination of finasteride and minoxidil (Group II) followed by groups IV, I and III. Subjects receiving finasteride alone or in combination with minoxidil or ketoconazole showed statistically significant improvement (p<0.05) over minoxidil only recipients. No signifcant side-effects related to the drugs were observed. In conclusion, it is inferred that the therapeutic efficacy is enhanced by combining the two drugs acting on different aetiological aspects of AGA.

Seeing is believing. Learning by anecdotal observations is an old way of science. It is not reasonable to stop taking daily food and herbal supplements altogether just because of scietific/clinical support: our life must go on until we have better understandings of food and herb. There are two merits that Hair Million enjoys: Firstly, Hair Million is relatively inexpensive, and secondly, it is made only of edible herbs that are known to be safe when consumed in regular quantities. Propecia is a clincally validated prescription medication for hair loss.

Related Web resources:

What is hair?

Curly Hair

Biology of hair growth and development.

The phenomenon of hair loss.

Methods and treatments for hair loss and baldness.

Drugs and hair transplantation surgery for hair loss and baldness.

Hair loss linked to other health problems.

Baldness by choice and fashion.

Alopecia info.

Alopecia treatment info.

Hair care info.

Hair loss and alopecia research articles: abstracts and source links.

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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