Today, to compensate baldness, also called androgenetic alopecia, there are only 3 treatments: two drugs (minoxidil and finasteride) and hair transplant. However, these two drugs available on the market are unsatisfactory and the Side effects are important. Researchers at the University of Manchester, England have therefore looked at other ways to promote the growth of hair follicles, and they have indeed found an effective molecule! The results of their research appeared in the journal PLOS Biology.
A protein prevents the hair from growing
Scientists began their research by studying cyclosporin A (CsA). This medicine is used during transplants in order to avoid rejection, it is an immunosuppressant, and it has many side effects like hair growth. Although this drug cannot be used in the treatment of baldness, because it is too toxic for the body, the aim of this study was to know the exact action of CsA, in order to find another molecule that can act in the same way.
They found that CsA reduced the expression of SFRP1, a protein that inhibits the development of certain tissues including hair follicles. They also found that a drug originally developed to treatosteoporosis, which contains the active substance WAY-316606, also targeted SFRP1 without causing the side effects of CsA. Tested on cultured follicles, WAY-316606 has been shown to be very effective in hair growth. This new therapeutic route will however have to be the subject of additional studies, and a clinical trial, before any marketing can be expected.
Getting a bit thin on top? Unwanted side-effects of #immunosuppressant drug #CyclosporineA led researchers to a novel strategy for treating human #HairLoss disorders by manipulating #Wnt pathway. #baldness#PLOSBiologyhttps://t.co/Vqy6iuXgHDpic.twitter.com/HEnSrpT5Y8
– PLOS Biology (@PLOSBiology) May 9, 2018
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