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Hair Loss Study Abstract: Hair growth-stimulating effects of cyclosporin A and FK506, potent immunosuppressants.
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Title
Hair growth-stimulating effects of cyclosporin A and FK506, potent immunosuppressants.
Author
Yamamoto S; Kato R
Address
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.
Source
J Dermatol Sci, 7 Suppl:1994 Jul, S47-54
Abstract
Cyclosporin A (CsA), a cyclic endecapeptide, is a T cell-specific immunosuppressant and
is successfully used in the field of organ transplantation. Another T cell-specific
immunosuppressant, FK506, a more recently discovered macrolide antibiotic, is effective
against graft rejection at much lower doses than CsA. Although totally different in
structure, both compounds inhibit T cell activation by interfering with the production of
interleukin-2 (IL-2) by inhibiting IL-2 gene expression, probably through the inhibition
of calcineurin, a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase. Clinical studies have revealed
that FK506 induces a variety of side effects in common with CsA. One of the most common
side effects of CsA is hypertrichosis. The hair growth stimulating effect of CsA is
observed not only in normal but also in pathological conditions of hair growth, i.e. in
patients with alopecia areata and also in some patients with male-pattern alopecia.
Although hypertrichosis is induced by both topical and oral administration of CsA, there
has been no report showing that FK506 induces hypertrichosis. Recently we have found that
topical application of FK506 to skins of mice, rats and hamsters markedly stimulates hair
growth. This hair growth stimulating effect of FK506 is observed when applied topically
but not by oral administration, even with a dose which causes marked immunosuppression.
The hair growth stimulating effect of FK506 in normal animals may apparently be unrelated
to its immunosuppressive effect. In vitro studies revealed that FK506 directly stimulates
hair follicles. Mechanisms of hair growth stimulating effects of FK506 and CsA remain to
be elucidated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Language of Publication
English
Unique Identifier
95092662
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