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Published on: March 9, 2015
Hair Thickness Growth Effect of Adenosine Complex in Male-/Female-Patterned Hair Loss via Inhibition of Androgen
Jaeyoon Kim1, Jae Young Shin1, Yun-Ho Choi1
1LG Household & Health Care (LG H&H) R&D Center, 70, Magokjoongang 10-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul 07795, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Aging (senescence) is an unavoidable biological process that results in visible manifestations in all cutaneous tissues, including scalp skin and hair follicles. Previously, we evaluated the molecular function of adenosine in promoting alopecia treatment in vitro. To elucidate the differences in the molecular mechanisms between minoxidil (MNX) and adenosine, gene expression changes in dermal papilla cells were examined. The androgen receptor (AR) pathway was identified as a candidate target of adenosine for hair growth, and the anti-androgenic activity of adenosine was examined in vitro. In addition, ex vivo examination of human hair follicle organ cultures revealed that adenosine potently elongated the anagen stage. According to the severity of alopecia, the ratio of the two peaks (terminal hair area/vellus hair area) decreased continuously. We further investigated the adenosine hair growth promoting effect in vivo to examine the hair thickness growth effects of topical 5% MNX and the adenosine complex (0.75% adenosine, 1% penthenol, and 2% niacinamide; APN) in vivo. After 4 months of administration, both the MNX and APN group showed significant increases in hair density (MNX + 5.01% (p < 0.01), APN + 6.20% (p < 0.001)) and thickness (MNX + 5.14% (p < 0.001), APN + 10.32% (p < 0.001)). The inhibition of AR signaling via adenosine could have contributed to hair thickness growth. We suggest that the anti-androgenic effect of adenosine, along with the evaluation of hair thickness distribution, could help us to understand hair physiology and to investigate new approaches for drug development.
Insights
Adenosine promotes hair growth by inhibiting the androgen receptor (AR) pathway, showing significant increases in hair density and thickness in vivo. This suggests adenosine as a potential therapeutic for alopecia.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
- Hair Follicle Science
Background:
- Aging leads to visible changes in skin and hair follicles, including alopecia.
- Adenosine's potential in alopecia treatment was previously explored in vitro.
- Understanding molecular differences between minoxidil and adenosine is crucial for hair growth research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of adenosine in hair growth compared to minoxidil.
- To investigate the anti-androgenic activity of adenosine.
- To evaluate the in vivo efficacy of adenosine complex for hair thickness and density.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression analysis in dermal papilla cells to identify adenosine's molecular targets.
- In vitro assessment of adenosine's anti-androgenic activity.
- Ex vivo human hair follicle organ culture to assess anagen stage elongation.
- In vivo study comparing topical minoxidil and an adenosine complex (APN) for hair growth.
Main Results:
- Adenosine targets the androgen receptor (AR) pathway, exhibiting anti-androgenic effects.
- Adenosine significantly elongated the anagen stage in ex vivo hair follicle cultures.
- Both minoxidil and the APN complex significantly increased hair density and thickness after 4 months in vivo.
- The APN complex demonstrated a more pronounced effect on hair thickness compared to minoxidil.
Conclusions:
- Adenosine's anti-androgenic activity, potentially via AR signaling inhibition, contributes to hair thickness growth.
- Adenosine complex (APN) shows significant potential for promoting hair growth and thickness.
- Further research into adenosine's anti-androgenic effects can advance alopecia drug development.
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