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Journal of Biomedical Science Mar 2020Stem cell activity is subject to non-cell-autonomous regulation from the local microenvironment, or niche. In adaption to varying physiological conditions and the... (Review)
Review
Stem cell activity is subject to non-cell-autonomous regulation from the local microenvironment, or niche. In adaption to varying physiological conditions and the ever-changing external environment, the stem cell niche has evolved with multifunctionality that enables stem cells to detect these changes and to communicate with remote cells/tissues to tailor their activity for organismal needs. The cyclic growth of hair follicles is powered by hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). Using HFSCs as a model, we categorize niche cells into 3 functional modules, including signaling, sensing and message-relaying. Signaling modules, such as dermal papilla cells, immune cells and adipocytes, regulate HFSC activity through short-range cell-cell contact or paracrine effects. Macrophages capacitate the HFSC niche to sense tissue injury and mechanical cues and adipocytes seem to modulate HFSC activity in response to systemic nutritional states. Sympathetic nerves implement the message-relaying function by transmitting external light signals through an ipRGC-SCN-sympathetic circuit to facilitate hair regeneration. Hair growth can be disrupted by niche pathology, e.g. dysfunction of dermal papilla cells in androgenetic alopecia and influx of auto-reacting T cells in alopecia areata and lichen planopilaris. Understanding the functions and pathological changes of the HFSC niche can provide new insight for the treatment of hair loss.
Topics: Alopecia; Animals; Cell Differentiation; Hair; Hair Follicle; Humans; Mice; Regeneration; Stem Cell Niche; Stem Cells
PubMed: 32171310
DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-0624-8 -
Molecular Pharmaceutics Jan 2023Asymmetric small interfering RNAs (asiRNAs) that mediate RNA interference have been investigated for therapeutic use in various tissues, including skin tissue....
Asymmetric small interfering RNAs (asiRNAs) that mediate RNA interference have been investigated for therapeutic use in various tissues, including skin tissue. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is caused by a combination of genetic factors, resulting in sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which binds to the androgen receptor (AR) to mediate a series of biomolecular changes leading to hair loss. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of a cell-penetrating, AR-targeting asiRNA (cp-asiAR) for AGA treatment, which was designed to silence the gene. AGA mouse models were developed by stimulation with DHT, and human scalp tissues were also used for analysis. Cp-asiAR-mediated changes in mRNA expression and protein levels of AR were assessed along with the examination of phenotypic improvements in mouse model of AGA. We also assessed downstream signaling associated with in primary human dermal papilla (DP) cells. Several cp-asiARs were screened for selecting the optimal sequence of AR using cell lines . A cholesterol-conjugated, chemically modified cp-asiAR candidate was optimized under passive uptake conditions . Intradermal cp-asiAR injection efficiently reduced mRNA and protein levels corresponding to AR in mouse models. Moreover, cp-asiAR injection promoted hair growth in mouse models with DHT-induced AGA. In human hair follicle culture, the proportion of telogen hair decreased, and the mean hair bulb diameter increased in the cp-asiAR-treated group. In isolated primary human DP cells, expression was effectively downregulated by cp-asiAR. Furthermore, cp-asiAR attenuated DHT-mediated increases in interleukin-6, transforming growth factor-β1, and dickkopf-1 levels. No significant toxicity was observed in DP cells after cp-asiAR treatment. Cp-asiAR treatment showed effective downregulation of expression and prevention of DHT-mediated alterations in the hair cycle and hair diameter, indicating its potential as a novel therapeutic option for AGA.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Humans; Receptors, Androgen; RNA, Small Interfering; Alopecia; Hair; Hair Follicle; Disease Models, Animal; RNA, Messenger
PubMed: 36352823
DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.2c00510 -
The Journal of Pediatrics Sep 2020
Topics: Alopecia; Child, Preschool; Hair; Humans; Male; Monilethrix
PubMed: 32446725
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.05.024 -
Biomolecules Apr 2023Plant-derived secondary metabolites (polyphenols/terpenes/alkaloids) and microbial exometabolites/membrane components of fermented tropical fruits are known as highly... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Plant-derived secondary metabolites (polyphenols/terpenes/alkaloids) and microbial exometabolites/membrane components of fermented tropical fruits are known as highly bioavailable biomolecules causing skin and hair improvement effects (wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiacne, skin/hair microbiota balancing, hair growth-promoting, and hair loss-inhibiting). Caffein is considered as a hair growth promoter. A randomized placebo- and caffein-controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of fermented papaya (FP) plus fermented mangosteen (FM) towards human hair quality and loss was conducted. Shampoo and lotion hair care products containing FP, FM, and caffein as active agents were developed and applied to 154 subjects of both sexes with clinically confirmed androgenic or diffuse alopecia for 3 months. Their clinical efficacy was assessed subjectively by questionnaires filled in by dermatologists/trichologists, and by the objective trichomicroscopical calculations. Hair and scalp skin quality was determined by microbiota pattern and ATP, SH-groups, protein, and malonyl dialdehyde quantification. Comparative clinical data showed that the experimental hair care cosmetics significantly inhibited hair loss, increased hair density/thickness, and improved hair follicle structure versus placebo and caffein controls. The cosmetics with FP and FM substantially normalized the microbiota pattern and increased ATP content in hair follicle, while inhibiting lipid peroxidation in the scalp skin, and SH-group formation in the hair shaft.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Adenosine Triphosphate; Fruit; Hair; Microbiota; Scalp; Alopecia; Fermentation
PubMed: 37189446
DOI: 10.3390/biom13040699 -
Archivos Espanoles de Urologia Jun 2022Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) is a little known adverse effect of 5α-reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) drugs used in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenetic... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
Post-finasteride syndrome (PFS) is a little known adverse effect of 5α-reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) drugs used in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenetic alopecia. Five articles on the syndrome have been published in Spain, although no review has been published.The objectives of this article are to review the world literature, including the Spanish literature.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A retrospective review on post-finasteride syndrome was performed between 2011 and 2020. The search for information in PubMed/Medline was performed using the English terms "post-finasteride, post-finasteride syndrome" and in Google with the Spanish "post-finasteride, síndrome post-finasteride". The results of the variables studied were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS
A total of 64 worldwide articles on post-finasteride syndrome were found, discarding 24 (37.5%) that did not deal with the symptoms of the syndrome, and 40 articles (62.5%) by 37 authors were included for study, corresponding to 29 publications on case series (72.5%) and 11 reviews (27.5%). Of the 40 articles, 37 referred to male post-finasteride syndrome (92.5%) and 3 to female (7.5%), the number of patients studied in the review was 87,887 corresponding to 87,224 men (99.2%) and 663 women (0.7%), with the number of articles on general symptoms being 23 (57.5%), male sexual symptoms 20 (50%) and female sexual symptoms 1 (2.5%). The articles came from 14 specialties, with Dermatology 14 publications (35%), Urology-Andrology 7 (17.5%) and Pharmacology 6 (15%). The countries with the highest number of publications were the USA 15 (37.5%), Italy 7 (17.5%) and Spain 5 (12.5%).
CONCLUSIONS
Finasteride is rarely associated with sexual and systemic adverse effects that constitute the so-called post-finasteride syndrome. There are still few studies on this syndrome in the world. This is the first review of this syndrome in Spain.
Topics: 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; Alopecia; Female; Finasteride; Humans; Iatrogenic Disease; Male; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Retrospective Studies; Syndrome
PubMed: 35983808
DOI: 10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20227505.56 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Jul 2023Alopecia areata (AA) is among the most prevalent autoimmune diseases, but the development of innovative therapeutic strategies has lagged due to an incomplete...
Alopecia areata (AA) is among the most prevalent autoimmune diseases, but the development of innovative therapeutic strategies has lagged due to an incomplete understanding of the immunological underpinnings of disease. Here, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) of skin-infiltrating immune cells from the graft-induced C3H/HeJ mouse model of AA, coupled with antibody-based depletion to interrogate the functional role of specific cell types in AA in vivo. Since AA is predominantly T cell-mediated, we focused on dissecting lymphocyte function in AA. Both our scRNAseq and functional studies established CD8+ T cells as the primary disease-driving cell type in AA. Only the depletion of CD8+ T cells, but not CD4+ T cells, NK, B, or γδ T cells, was sufficient to prevent and reverse AA. Selective depletion of regulatory T cells (T) showed that T are protective against AA in C3H/HeJ mice, suggesting that failure of T-mediated immunosuppression is not a major disease mechanism in AA. Focused analyses of CD8+ T cells revealed five subsets, whose heterogeneity is defined by an "effectorness gradient" of interrelated transcriptional states that culminate in increased effector function and tissue residency. scRNAseq of human AA skin showed that CD8+ T cells in human AA follow a similar trajectory, underscoring that shared mechanisms drive disease in both murine and human AA. Our study represents a comprehensive, systematic interrogation of lymphocyte heterogeneity in AA and uncovers a novel framework for AA-associated CD8+ T cells with implications for the design of future therapeutics.
Topics: Mice; Humans; Animals; Alopecia Areata; Mice, Inbred C3H; Lymphocyte Subsets; Sequence Analysis, RNA
PubMed: 37428932
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2305764120 -
Archives of Dermatological Research Jul 2023Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss in both genders with a higher psychological impact on females. Currently, topical minoxidil is the only... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparison between topical cetirizine with minoxidil versus topical placebo with minoxidil in female androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss in both genders with a higher psychological impact on females. Currently, topical minoxidil is the only FDA-approved treatment for female AGA and it needs life-long application and causes side effects. Cetirizine is an antihistamine that may be effective in hair loss treatment. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of topical cetirizine with minoxidil (group 1) versus topical minoxidil with placebo (group 2) in female patients with AGA. This was a double-blind, randomized, controlled, parallel study conducted at Dermatology Clinic, Cairo University Teaching Hospital (Kasr- Al- Ainy), Egypt. Sixty-six patients with female AGA, aged 20-50 years, Sinclair (II-IV), were randomly assigned to one of the 2 groups for 24 weeks. The trichoscopic parameters, patients' self-assessment, side effects and global photographic assessment were evaluated. There was a statistically significant change from baseline in frontal and vertex terminal and vellus hair density (P < 0.0005) with a significant increase in vertex hair shaft thickness and average number of hairs per follicular unit in group 1 (P < 0.05). Patients reported significantly better scores in patient self-assessment in group 1 (P < 0.05). Side effects were not significantly different between groups (P > 0.05). Topical cetirizine increases hair shaft thickness and results in a higher clinical improvement from patients' perspective with a good safety profile (NCT04481412, study start date: July 2020).
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Minoxidil; Cetirizine; Administration, Topical; Alopecia; Hair; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
PubMed: 36571611
DOI: 10.1007/s00403-022-02512-2 -
Actas Dermo-sifiliograficas Jun 2020
Topics: Alopecia; Dutasteride; Finasteride; Humans; Mesotherapy
PubMed: 32416936
DOI: 10.1016/j.ad.2018.10.030 -
Skin Research and Technology : Official... Jun 2023Oral supplementation with some amino acids (like methionine, taurine, and cysteine) could be useful in subjects with hair loss conditions such as androgenic alopecia... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy and tolerability of an oral supplement containing amino acids, iron, selenium, and marine hydrolyzed collagen in subjects with hair loss (androgenetic alopecia, AGA or FAGA or telogen effluvium). A prospective, randomized, 3-month, controlled, assessor-blinded study.
BACKGROUND
Oral supplementation with some amino acids (like methionine, taurine, and cysteine) could be useful in subjects with hair loss conditions such as androgenic alopecia (AGA or FAGA) or telogen effluvium (TE). Hydrolysed collagen (HC) oral supplementation has demonstrated to have beneficial effects on nail and skin health and could improve hair growth. A food supplement in tablet formulation containing hydrolysed fish-origin collagen (300 mg/dose), taurine, cysteine, methionine, iron, and selenium has been recently available. To date no controlled data are available regarding the clinical efficacy of this product as adjuvant to hair loss specific treatments in these clinical conditions.
STUDY AIMS
To evaluate and compare the efficacy and tolerability of an oral supplementation based on HC and amino acids in subjects with hair loss due to AGA/FAGA or chronic TE in combination with drug treatments in comparison with drug treatments alone.
METHODS AND SUBJECTS
In a prospective, 12-week, randomized, assessor-blinded controlled trial 83 subjects (mean age 41 ± 16 years; 26 men and 57 women) were enrolled in the study. Fifty-nine subjects suffered from AGA/FAGA (Hamilton I-VA, Ludwig I-1, II-2) and 24 from chronic TE. Subjects were randomized to oral supplementation (1 tablet day) in combination with the specify drug treatment decided by the investigator according to the type of hair loss (AGA/FAGA or TE) (Group A; N = 48) or to specific drugs treatment only (Group B; N = 35). The main outcome of the trial was the clinical efficacy evaluation using a 7-point global assessment score (GAS) (from +3: Much Improved to -3 Much worsened; with score 0 representing no modification). The GAS score was evaluated using standardized photographs by an investigator unaware of the treatment groups at week 6 and at week 12. A secondary outcome was the evaluation of acceptability of the treatment regimen using a 10-point evaluation score.
RESULTS
Seventy-six participants (91.6%) completed the 12-week study period. The GAS score at week 6 was 0.5 ± 0.2 in group A and 0.0 ± 0.1 in Group B (p < 0.05; Mann-Whitney). At week 12 the GAS score in Group A was statistically significant higher in comparison with Group B (1.67 ± 0.16 and 0.66 ± 0.20, p < 0.001; Mann-Whitney test). A higher percentage of Group A subjects achieved a GAS score of ≥2 in comparison with group B (50% vs. 23%). The oral supplement was generally well tolerated.
CONCLUSION
An oral supplement containing hydrolysed fish-origin collagen, taurine, cysteine, methionine, iron, and selenium has demonstrated to improve the clinical efficacy of specific anti-hair loss treatments in subjects with AGA/FAGA or chronic TE.
Topics: Female; Humans; Selenium; Amino Acids; Cysteine; Iron; Prospective Studies; Alopecia; Alopecia Areata; Methionine; Taurine
PubMed: 37357646
DOI: 10.1111/srt.13381 -
Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome 2020The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global health emergency. According to the findings, male patients with COVID-19 infection are at an increased risk... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND AIM
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global health emergency. According to the findings, male patients with COVID-19 infection are at an increased risk for severe complications than females. The causes of this issue are unknown and are most probably multifactorial. Sexual hormones affect the immune system, so estrogen strengthens the immune system, and testosterone suppresses it. Due to the reports of the high prevalence of androgenic alopecia in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and a higher risk of respiratory disease and increased use of allergy/asthma medications among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as a hyperandrogenism condition compared with non-PCOS women, this review aimed to evaluate androgens role in COVID-19.
METHODS
42 related articles from 2008 to 2020 were reviewed with the keywords of androgens, hormonal factors, and hair loss in combination with COVID-19 in medical research databases.
RESULTS
The evidence of transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2) expression in lung tissue, which is an androgen-regulated gene and expressed mainly in the adult prostate may interpret the increased susceptibility of the male gender to severe COVID-19 complications. Moreover, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) acts as a functional receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and male hormones are effective in the ACE-2 passageway and simplify SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells.
CONCLUSION
Further studies on the severity of symptoms in patients with COVID-19 in other hyperandrogenism conditions compared to the control group are recommended.
Topics: Alopecia; Androgens; Antimalarials; Antiviral Agents; COVID-19; Female; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Humans; Male; Sex Characteristics; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 33091758
DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2020.10.014