References: Hair growth and hair loss
bradford.ac.uk
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.
online pharmacy ref. source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12095876&dopt=Abstract
Psychooncology. 2002 May-Jun;11(3):244-8.
Pulsed electrostatic fields (ETG) to reduce hair loss in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast carcinoma: a pilot study.
Benjamin B, Ziginskas D, Harman J, Meakin T.
St. Marks Breast Centre, 10 St. Marks Road, Remuera, Auckland, New Zealand.
AIMS: To determine whether specific pulsed electrostatic fields, or electrotrichogenesis (ETG), could potentially prevent or reduce hair loss in patients undergoing adjuvant cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (CMF) chemotherapy for breast cancer.METHODS: Thirteen women were followed during their adjuvant ETG and chemotherapy treatment to determine the efficacy of ETG. All patients were treated for 12 min, twice weekly with a pulsed electrostatic field. Quantitative hair loss was measured by photographic assessment, and manual hair count. Quality of life assessment was conducted at the end of the study.RESULTS: Twelve out of 13 participants had good hair retention throughout the chemotherapy period and afterwards. There were no reported side effects attributable to ETG.CONCLUSIONS: This study shows encouraging results in an area where no other appropriate treatment is available Reducing alopecia, secondary to chemotherapy has the potential to increase CMF treatment compliance, enhance patient self-esteem, and improve overall quality of life during this stressful period. Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
online pharmacy ref. source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12112485&dopt=Abstract
Transgenic Res. 2002 Jun;11(3):241-7.
Inducible, reversible hair loss in transgenic mice.
Chen J, Kelz MB, Zeng G, Steffen C, Shockett PE, Terwilliger G, Schatz DG, Nestler EJ.
Laboratory of Molecular Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven 06508, USA.
Telogen effluvium is a common type of hair loss. Although the morphological changes associated with telogen effluvium have been well characterized, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown, and no animal models have been developed. We report here that inducible transgenic mice expressing high levels of the transcription factor, tTA (tetracycline transactivator), plus a reporter luciferase gene, show a reversible hair loss phenotype. Skin of these mice exhibits an increase in the number of hair follicles at the telogen phase, but a decreased number of follicles at the anagen phase. These changes resemble skin pathology seen in patients with telogen effluvium, which suggests that the inducible transgenic mice may be useful as a model for this disorder. Moreover, since overexpression of several other transgenes failed to cause skin pathology, the present findings also indicate types of molecular abnormalities that may cause reversible hair loss.
online pharmacy ref. source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12113456&dopt=Abstract
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