Hair Loss Treatment

Exp Dermatol. 2010 Aug;19(8):e347-9.

An unexpected twist in alopecia areata pathogenesis: are NK cells protective and CD49b+ T cells pathogenic?
Kaufman G, et al

Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells have become a recent focus of interest in alopecia areata (AA) research. To further investigate their role in an established mouse model of hair loss due to alopecia areata, lesional skin from older C3H/HeJ mice with AA was grafted to young C3H/HeJ female mice, and NK cells were depleted by continuous administration of rabbit anti-asialo GM1. As expected, this significantly reduced the number of pure NK cells in murine skin, as assessed by NKp46 quantitative immunohistochemistry. Quite unexpectedly, however, the onset of hair loss in C3H/HeJ mice was accelerated, rather than retarded. NK cell depletion was accompanied by a significant increase in the number of perifollicular CD49b+T cells in the alopecic skin of anti-asialo GM1-treated mice. These findings underscore the need to carefully distinguish in future AA research between pure NK cells and defined subsets of CD49b+ lymphocytes, as they may exert diametrically opposed functions in hair follicle immunology and immunopathology.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2010 May;9(5):537

Alopecia: botanical approaches in review.
Abdullah F, Rashid RM.

The Morzak Clinic, Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Abstract
The use of herbal medications in the treatment of dermatologic disease is common practice among consumers. In this paper, the authors review the botanical modalities in the literature with a particular focus on various presentations of hair loss. To maximize potential clinical application, this review has been limited human studies. The goal of the study is to a thorough evaluation of the current understanding of the use of non-pharmaceutical botanical products in the management of hair loss.

modified for hair loss treatment blog

Ann Dermatol. 2009 May; 21(2): 142–146.

Copyright © 2009 Korean Dermatological Association; The Korean Society for Investigative Dermatology
The Therapeutic Effect and the Changed Serum Zinc Level after Zinc Supplementation in Alopecia Areata Patients Who Had a Low Serum Zinc Level
Hoon Park, et al

Edited for hair oss blog

Abstract

It has been reported that some alopecia areata patients have zinc deficiency. There have also been several reports published concerning oral zinc sulfate therapy, with encouraging results, in some alopecia areata patients.Objective
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of oral zinc supplementation for twelve weeks in alopecia areata patients who had a low serum zinc level.

Methods
Oral zinc gluconate (50 mg/T/day) supplementation was given to alopecia areata patients without any other treatment for twelve weeks. The serum zinc level was measured before and after zinc supplementation. A four-point scale of hair regrowth was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of oral zinc supplementation in these patients.

Results

Fifteen alopecia areata patients were enrolled in this study. After the therapy, the serum zinc levels increased significantly from 56.9 µg/ to 84.5 µg/dl. Positive therapeutic effects were observed for 9 out of 15 patients (66.7%) although this was not statistically significant. The serum zinc levels of the positive response group increased more than those of the negative response group (p=0.003).

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Hair Loss Treatment, hair regrowth.

Hair Loss Treatment

Flores, et al. The longest telomeres: a general signature of adult stem cell compartments. Genes Dev. 2008; 22(5): 654–667

.....In summary, these findings demonstrate a hierarchical organization of cells of a common origin within tissues according to their telomere length in all organs examined so far (skin, small intestine, cornea, testis, and brain), with the longest telomeres generally marking the most primitive adult stem cell compartments and the shortest telomeres in the more differentiated compartments within a given tissue. Of note, the rate of telomere shortening within a given tissue appeared larger than expected from mere cell division, which may reflect on active telomere degradation mechanisms associated with differentiation, something that remains unexplored to date. Since cell hierarchies are general features of almost all adult organs, identification of the longest telomeres may represent a novel general marker of adult stem cell compartments, which combined with current ways to identify stem cells such as the so-called “label-retaining techniques” may be useful in identifying new stem cell compartments. Finally, we make the novel finding that Mus musculus telomeres shorten with age in all different stem cell compartments studied here, which in turn may result in decreased stem cell functionality at old age. The correct identification and characterization of adult stem cells in healthy and disease conditions could lead to new clinical applications, such as aid in their isolation as well in the study of their response to different treatments. In particular, tumors have been shown previously to show shorter telomeres compared with the normal surrounding tissue. The ability to identify different cell populations according to their telomere length within tumors will enable researchers to monitor their behavior in response to different stimuli or therapeutic treatments.

edited for hair loss treatment and hair regrowth blog use

Pediatr Dermatol. 2009 Jul-Aug;26(4):427-31.

Ichthyosis follicularis, alopecia, and photophobia (IFAP) syndrome due to mutation of the gene MBTPS2 in a large Australian kindred.
Ming A, et al

Ichthyosis follicularis, alopecia (hair loss) and photophobia is a rare genodermatosis. Most patients have been men without significant family history. We present the largest kindred of IFAP reported to date in the medical literature clearly demonstrating X-linked inheritance. The gene defect has recently been mapped to Xp22.11-p22.13. Missense mutations of the gene, MBTPS2, which codes for an intramembrane zinc metalloprotease essential for cholesterol homeostasis and endoplasmic reticulum stress response, are associated with the IFAP phenotype in this kindred. We describe the clinical features and discuss the differential diagnosis of IFAP. Our proband has benefited from treatment with acitretin.

Endocrinology, doi:10.1210/endo-109-4-1047
Endocrinology Vol. 109, No. 4 1047-1051
Copyright © 1981 by the Endocrine Society.

Attenuation by a 5a-Reductase Inhibitor of the Activational Effect of Testosterone Propionate on Penile Erections in Castrated Male Rats*
WILSON G. et al

Abstract

Daily administration of an inhibitor of 5-reductase, 17â-testosterone carboxylic acid, significantly attenuated the stimulatory effect of testosterone propionate on penile erections displayed by castrated male rats which were restrained in a supine position. This treatment, however, failed to affect mating behavior in tests with sexually receptive females. The inhibitory effect of 17â-testosterone carboxylic acid on erection was reversed by concurrent administration of 5-dihydrotestosterone propionate, suggesting that the 5-reduced metabolite (s) of testosterone may normally contribute to the activation of penile erection in the rat.

Dr Proctorn comments: 5-AR inhibitos are used to treat hair loss. There is controvery as to how much erectile dysfunction the cause

Hair loss due to Alopecia areata has a variable course and uncertain natural history. All cases of alopecia areata may not require treatment. Spontaneous hair regrowth in some cases is known. Although diverse treatment options are available, none of them is satisfactory. Moreover, it is not yet identifiable as to which patient of alopecia areata will progress and will require intervention. In these patients too, the ideal and effective treatment is yet to be evolved.

Systemic corticosteroids have been used to treat hair loss due to alopecia areata. To avoid or minimize the side effects of daily systemic corticosteroids oral mini-pulse (OMP) therapy with various steroids has been used with success in vitiligo,lichen planus,and alopecia areata. snip...

Hair loss treatment