|
|
|
Hair Loss Study Abstract: Stimulation of hair growth by topical application of FK506, a potent immunosuppressive agent.
|
Title
Stimulation of hair growth by topical application of FK506, a potent immunosuppressive
agent. Author
Yamamoto S; Jiang H; Kato R Address
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.
Source
J Invest Dermatol, 102: 2, 1994 Feb, 160-4
Abstract
FK506, a macrolide antibiotic produced by Streptomyces tsukubaensis, is known as a
potent T cell-specific immunosuppressant, and is effective against graft rejection after
organ transplantation. Topical application of FK506 (0.03-1 mumol) to dorsal skin of CD-1
mice stimulated hair growth in a dose-dependent manner. Unlike topical application, oral
administration of 30 mg/kg of FK506, a dose that induces marked immunosuppression, did not
stimulate significant hair growth. Topical application of FK506 also stimulated hair
growth of rats and Syrian golden hamsters. FK506 stimulated hair growth even in SCID mice
that lack both B- and T-cell immunity. Therefore, it is unlikely that the hair
growth-stimulatory effect of FK506 results from its immunosuppressive effect. FK506
(0.01-1 microM) stimulated both [3H]thymidine and [3H]glycine uptakes to cultured mouse
vibrissae follicles in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, when the follicles were
treated with FK506 (1 microM) for 16 d, the size of the follicles (length of hair plus
follicle) increased slightly but significantly. On the other hand, the size of the
non-treated follicles did not increase significantly. These results indicate that FK506
directly stimulates hair follicles. Long-term treatment of mice with FK506, i.e., topical
application of 1 mumol FK506 twice a week for 6 months, did not affect body weight gain of
mice, and the FK506-treated mice looked healthy. FK506 may be useful as a stimulant of
hair growth. Language of Publication
English Unique Identifier
94149285
content2 |
|
