Skin Drugs

Int J Dermatol. 1990;29:446

The biological effects of a pulsed electrostatic field with specific reference to hair. Electrotrichogenesis.
Maddin WS, et al

This study demonstrates the positive effect on hair regrowth of a pulsed electrical field snip…. Mean hair count comparisons within the groups significantly favor the hair loss treatment group, which exhibited a hair count increase over baseline. The control group increase over baseline was 25.6%. It is notable also that 29 of the 30 treatment subjects exhibited hair regrowth or no further hair loss. The process is without side effects and untoward reactions. The rationale of this phenomenon is unclear but is considered to be due to an electrophysiologic effect on the quiescent hair follicle,…. snip…

Clin Dermatol. 1988;6:129

Retinoids: compounds important to hair growth.
Terezakis NK, Bazzano GS.

Although the mechanisms of follicular regression in male pattern hair loss are not fully understood, retinoids may be important in changing the status of regressing follicles. There are many reports documenting reversal of epithelial dysplastic changes with retinoids. Although none of the studies with retinoids have concentrated on the precise mechanisms of hair regrowth, these limited observations, and our early studies suggest that further work should be done on the effect retinoids have on the hair follicle during the various growth and regression phases of the follicular life cycle. We propose that certain retinoids increase the rate of hair regrowth, prolong the anagen phase of the hair cycle, play a role in converting vellus to terminal hairs, and act synergistically with minoxidil to produce more dense hair regrowth from regressing follicles than either compound alone. Larger controlled studies and better methods for assessing hair regrowth are necessary to support these early results. Other retinoids as well as certain minoxidil analogs should also be studied.

edited for hair regrowth and hair loss treatment blog

Hair regrowth and Hair Loss Treatment at the Proctor Clinic

Clin Endocrinol;22(1):43

Gonadotrophin-secreting pituitary tumour

Whitaker MD,et al

A 34-year-old male with a pituitary adenoma was investigated and demonstrated to have hypersecretion of both gonadotrophins in the basal state. Immunocytochemical staining and electron microscopic examination were positive for tumour cells secreting FSH and LH. Presenting symptoms included visual disturbances, loss of libido, impotence, cold intolerance, frontal headaches, change in skin pigmentation and excessive weight gain. The patient denied alteration in hair distribution, had no acral features, galactorrhoea or gynaecomastia. Surgical extirpation resulted in complete amelioration of his symptoms over a three year follow-up period. Basal and stimulated pituitary function testing results returned to normal post-operatively. A review of the literature documents six other cases of pituitary tumour secreting both LH and FSH in the basal state. More commonly, the pituitary adenoma secretes FSH only. The literature is reviewed with regard to both types of tumour.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009 Aug 19.

Inhibition of Inflammatory Gene Expression in Keratinocytes Using a Composition Containing Carnitine, Thioctic Acid and Saw Palmetto Extract.
Chittur S,.et al

editd for Hair Loss Blog

Chronic inflammation of the hair follicle (HF) is considered a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of male pattern hair loss. Previously, we clinically tested liposterolic extract of Serenoa repens (LSESr) and its glycoside, beta-sitosterol, in subjects with AGA and showed a highly positive response to treatment. In this study, we sought to determine whether blockade of inflammation using a composition containing LSESr as well as two anti-inflammatory agents (carnitine and thioctic acid) could alter the expression of molecular markers of inflammation in a well-established in vitro system. Using a well-validated assay representative of HF keratinocytes, specifically, stimulation of cultured human keratinocyte cells in vitro, we measured changes in gene expression of a spectrum of well-known inflammatory markers. In particular, we found that the composition effectively suppressed LPS-activated gene expression of chemokines, including CCL17, CXCL6 and LTB(4) associated with pathways involved in inflammation and apoptosis. This supports the hypothesis that the test compound exhibits anti-inflammatory characteristics in a well-established in vitro assay representing HF keratinocyte gene expression. These findings suggest that 5-alpha reductase inhibitors combined with blockade of inflammatory processes could represent a novel two-pronged approach in the treatment of AGA with improved efficacy over current modalities.

Hiar regrowth hair loss treatment