ascorbic-acid and Alopecia

The present study aimed to develop vitamin C based nanovesicles (aspasomes) loaded with the antioxidant melatonin, as a novel cosmeceutical to be used for clinical treatment of androgenic alopecia (AGA). Aspasomes were assessed regarding their particle size, charge, drug entrapment, anti-oxidant potential, physical stability, in vitro release, surface morphology, and ex-vivo skin deposition. Clinically, melatonin aspasomes were tested on AGA patients, and assessed by evaluating the degree of improvement through conduction of hair pull test, histometric analysis and dermoscopic evaluation. Results revealed that melatonin aspasomes showed favorable pharmaceutical properties in addition to clinically promising results compared to melatonin solution, manifested by increased hair thickness, density and decreased hair loss, with photographic improvement in most patients. Therefore, melatonin vitamin C-based aspasomes were clinically auspicious in the treatment of AGA, hence, paving the way for their further exploration in other oxidative-dependent dermatological diseases.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Alopecia; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Drug Carriers; Drug Liberation; Humans; Male; Melatonin; Middle Aged; Rats; Skin; Treatment Outcome; Vitamins; Young Adult

Ascorbigen (ABG) is the predominant indole-derived compound from Brassica vegetables. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the effects of ABG on hair growth. To this end, we examined the proliferation of isolated human dermal papilla (DP) cells and keratinocytes after incubation in various concentrations (0-1.25 mM) of ABG. Furthermore, hair shaft regrowth was monitored in a mouse model of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), and hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed for histological analyses. We found that 1.25 mM ABG induced a 1.2-fold increase in the growth of DP cells, but not keratinocytes. However, ABG did not exert significant protective effects against CIA in the mouse model. These findings suggest that ABG may not be able to counteract CIA and that further investigation of the therapeutic potential of ABG in disease models is required.

Topics: Alopecia; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Brassica; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Cyclophosphamide; Dermis; Hair; Humans; Indoles; Keratinocytes; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Topics: Adult; Alopecia; Amines; Analgesics; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Ascorbic Acid; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Combinations; Female; Ferrous Compounds; Gabapentin; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; Humans; Menorrhagia; Thyroid Diseases; Thyroid Function Tests

Recent studies suggested that dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-driven alteration in the autocrine and paracrine factors may be a key to androgen-potentiated balding. Also, we recently claimed that DHT-inducible dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) is one of the key factors involved in the androgen-potentiated balding. Here, we investigated whether L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (Asc 2-P), a derivative of L-ascorbic acid, could attenuate DHT-induced DKK-1 expression in dermal papilla cells (DPCs) from balding scalp. We observed that DHT-induced DKK-1 mRNA expression was attenuated in the presence of Asc 2-P as examined by RT-PCR analysis. In addition, we found that DHT-induced activation of luciferase reporter activity was significantly repressed when Asc 2-P was added together with DHT. Moreover, Asc 2-P repressed DHT-induced DKK-1 protein expression as examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Although there will be many hurdles to apply our finding to actual remedies, these results suggest that it would be worthy to evaluate Asc 2-P or its derivatives for the treatment and prevention of androgen-driven balding.

Topics: Alopecia; Ascorbic Acid; Cells, Cultured; Dihydrotestosterone; Epithelial Cells; Gene Expression Regulation; Growth Substances; Hair Follicle; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Male; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Receptors, Androgen

In a previous study, we recently claimed that dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-inducible dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) expression is one of the key factors involved in androgen-potentiated balding. We also demonstrated that L-ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (Asc 2-P) represses DHT-induced DKK-1 expression in cultured dermal papilla cells (DPCs). Here, we investigated whether or not L-threonate could attenuate DHT-induced DKK-1 expression. We observed via RT-PCR analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that DHT-induced DKK-1 expression was attenuated in the presence of L-threonate. We also found that DHT-induced activation of DKK-1 promoter activity was significantly repressed by L-threonate. Moreover, a co-culture system featuring outer root sheath (ORS) keratinocytes and DPCs showed that DHT inhibited the growth of ORS cells, which was then significantly reversed by L-threonate. Collectively, these results indicate that L-threonate inhibited DKK-1 expression in DPCs and therefore is a good treatment for the prevention of androgen-driven balding.

Topics: Alopecia; Androgens; Ascorbic Acid; Butyrates; Cells, Cultured; Chemoprevention; Coculture Techniques; Dermis; Dihydrotestosterone; Down-Regulation; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Gene Expression Regulation; Hair Follicle; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Keratinocytes; Male

Topics: Alopecia; Anemia; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Bone and Bones; Bone Diseases; Calcium; Copper; Deficiency Diseases; Diet; Electron Transport Complex IV; Iron; Liver; Myocardium; Phosphorus; Rabbits

Topics: Alopecia; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium; Calcium, Dietary; Hair; Humans; Vitamins