BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) shares a high degree of structural and functional homology with insulin and is a potent mitogen supporting cell growth and survival in many kinds of the tissues and cells. It also plays a role in some differentiation and anti-apoptotic functions. In previous reports, it has been shown that IGF-I stimulates hair follicle (HF) growth, maintains the anagen stage, and postpones the catagen stage. OBJECTIVE: The exact mechanism of the effect of IGF-I on HF growth is not yet established. Therefore, we investigated the relationships between IGF-I and various other factors (i.e. apoptosis related molecules, pro-inflammatory cytokines, other growth factors, etc.) in the control of HF growth. METHODS: The effect of IGF-I on human hair growth was measured using an organ culture model of human HFs and compared with a control group that did not receive IGF-I. We also measured mRNA expression of factors related to hair growth and apoptosis (which was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RT-PCR was done on days 2, 4, 6, and 8 of organ culture. RESULTS: In organ cultured human hair follicles, IGF-I had a positive effect on the rate of linear hair growth. IGF-I maintained the anagen phase. IGF-I increased the expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A, PDGF-B and the expression ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. CONCLUSION: The effect of IGF-I on hair growth appears to be related to the upregulation of PDGF-A and PDGF-B and to the anti-apoptotic effect of IGF-I.
Apoptosis ; Cytokines ; Hair ; Hair Follicle ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Organ Culture Techniques ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger ; Up-Regulation

Background: Chrysanthemum zawadskii (CZ) belongs to the genus Chrysanthemum, also known as ‘Gu-Jeol-Cho’ in Korea. CZ has been used as herbal remedy to manage cough, hypertensive disorders, pharyngitis, bronchitis, gastroenteritis, pneumonia, bladder diseases and common cold. However, its effect on hair growth has not been documented. Objective: The aim of present study was to elucidate the beneficial effects of CZ on hair growth. Methods: Proliferation of follicular dermal papilla (DP) cells from human scalp skin was evaluated by MTT assay. The expression of various molecules in DP cells was checked by western blot assay. Effect of CZ extract on the hair growth was evaluated by hair organ culture and C57BL/6 mice model. Results: Cultivation of DP cells with CZ extract increased cellular proliferation, increased expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), p-ERK, B-cell lymphoma 2, and decreased expression of Bax. Treatment of human hair follicles with CZ extract significantly enhanced hair growth. Additionally, CZ markedly shortened telogen period, increased anagen transformation and stimulated hair growth in the animal study. Conclusion These results suggest that CZ extract has an effect of promoting hair growth and may therefore be a useful a therapeutic remedy for preventing hair loss.

BACKGROUND: Klotho protein plays a pivotal role in aging regulation. However, it is unclear whether klotho is expressed in human hair follicles and is correlated with hair growth. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the expression pattern and role of klotho in human hair follicles. METHODS: We examined the klotho expression patterns in human hair follicles from young and aged donors. Furthermore, we examined the functional roles of klotho on human hair growth using klotho siRNA and klotho recombinant protein. RESULTS: Interestingly, klotho was expressed in human hair follicles at both gene and protein levels. In hair follicles, prominent klotho expression was mainly observed in the outermost regions of the outer root sheath and hair bulb matrix cells. Quantification of klotho protein expression in young and aged donors showed that klotho expression decreased with aging. In human hair follicle organ culture, klotho silencing promoted premature catagen induction and inhibited human hair growth. Otherwise, klotho protein prolonged human hair growth. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that klotho might be an important regulatory factor for human hair growth and hair cycle change.
Aging ; Hair Follicle ; Hair ; Humans ; Organ Culture Techniques ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND: Genetic factors account for the majority of differences in skin color and hair morphology across human populations. Although many studies have been conducted to examine differences in skin color across populations, few studies have examined differences in hair morphology. OBJECTIVE: To investigate changing of integral hair lipids after ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in three human ethnic groups. METHODS: We studied the UV irradiation induced hair damage in hairs of three human populations. UV irradiation had been performed with self-manufactured phototherapy system. Damaged hair samples were prepared at 12 and 48 hours after UVA (20 J/sec) and UVB (8 J/sec) irradiation. We evaluated the changes of hair lipid using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), lipid TEM and HP-TLC. After UV irradiation, hair surface damage was shown. RESULTS: African hair showed more severe damage on hair surface than others. The lipid compositions across human populations were similar, but Asian hair had more integral hair lipids than other groups as a whole. Especially, free fatty acid contents were higher than other lipids. After UV irradiation, lipid contents were decreased. These patterns were shown in all human populations. Asian hair has more integral hair lipid than European or African hair. After UV irradiation, European and African hair samples exhibited more damage because they have less integral hair lipids. However, Asian hair samples have less damage. CONCLUSION: We conclude that integral hair lipid may protect the hair against the UV light.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Ethnic Groups ; Hair ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Phototherapy ; Skin ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Viola

BACKGROUND: Hair dryers are commonly used and can cause hair damage such as roughness, dryness and loss of hair color. It is important to understand the best way to dry hair without causing damage. OBJECTIVE: The study assessed changes in the ultra-structure, morphology, moisture content, and color of hair after repeated shampooing and drying with a hair dryer at a range of temperatures. METHODS: A standardized drying time was used to completely dry each hair tress, and each tress was treated a total of 30 times. Air flow was set on the hair dryer. The tresses were divided into the following five test groups: (a) no treatment, (b) drying without using a hair dryer (room temperature, 20degrees C), (c) drying with a hair dryer for 60 seconds at a distance of 15 cm (47degrees C), (d) drying with a hair dryer for 30 seconds at a distance of 10 cm (61degrees C), (e) drying with a hair dryer for 15 seconds at a distance of 5 cm (95degrees C). Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and lipid TEM were performed. Water content was analyzed by a halogen moisture analyzer and hair color was measured with a spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Hair surfaces tended to become more damaged as the temperature increased. No cortex damage was ever noted, suggesting that the surface of hair might play a role as a barrier to prevent cortex damage. Cell membrane complex was damaged only in the naturally dried group without hair dryer. Moisture content decreased in all treated groups compared to the untreated control group. However, the differences in moisture content among the groups were not statistically significant. Drying under the ambient and 95degrees C conditions appeared to change hair color, especially into lightness, after just 10 treatments. CONCLUSION: Although using a hair dryer causes more surface damage than natural drying, using a hair dryer at a distance of 15 cm with continuous motion causes less damage than drying hair naturally.
Cell Membrane ; Hair ; Hair Color ; Hot Temperature ; Light ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Water

Objective To investigate effects of polyphylin Ⅰ on the proliferation and apoptosis of human melanoma cell line A375,and to explore their mechanisms.Methods Normal human melanocytes isolated from healthy human foreskin were divided into 6 groups to be treated with 0,1.5,3.0,6.0,9.0,12.0 mg/L polyphyllin Ⅰ respectively.A375 melanoma cells were divided into 4 groups,i.e.,control group,1.5-,3.0-,6.0-mg/L polyphyllin Ⅰ groups,to be treated with 0,1.5,3.0,6.0 mg/L polyphyllin Ⅰ,respectively.Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay was performed to evaluate the effect of polyphyllin Ⅰ on the proliferation of normal human melanocytes and A375 cells.Hoechst 33258 fluorescent staining was conducted to observe the morphology of apoptotic cells,flow cytometry to estimate cell cycle phase distribution and apoptosis rate,dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescent probe assay to detect the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS),rhodamine-123 staining to evaluate changes of mitochondrial membrane potential,spectrophotography to detect the level of ATP in A375 cells,as well as levels of lactic acid and glucose in the culture supernatant of A375 cells,and Western blot analysis to determine the protein expression of Bcl-2,Bcl-2-related X protein (Bax),cleaved-caspase-3,cyclin D1 and pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2).Statistical analysis was carried out by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for comparisons among groups and Student-Newman-Keuls-q (SNK-q) test for multiple comparisons.Results CCK8 assay showed that the treatment with polyphyllin Ⅰ at concentrations of 1.5,3.0,6.0 mg/L for 48 hours had no effects on the proliferation of normal human melanocytes,but significantly inhibited the proliferation of A375 cells.The survival rate of A375 cells was significantly lower in the 1.5-,3.0-,6.0-mg/L polyphyllin Ⅰ groups than in the control group (P ＜ 0.01).After the treatment with polyphyllin Ⅰ,distinct apoptotic morphology of A375 cells was observed under fluorescence microscope.Additionally,along with the increase of polyphyllin Ⅰ concentrations (0,1.5,3.0,6.0 mg/L),there were gradual increasing trends in the apoptosis rate of A375 cells (4.25％ ± 1.27％,10.03％ ± 1.49％,36.62％ ± 1.97％,44.11％ ± 2.47％ respectively,F =665.7,P ＜ 0.01),the percentage of A375 cells at G0/G1 phase (54.13％ ± 2.57％,67.35％ ± 3.79％,74.39％ ± 3.29％,82.29％ ± 3.99％ respectively,F =71.81,P ＜ 0.01),the level of ROS in A375 cells (P ＜ 0.01),the level of glucose in the culture supernatant (P ＜ 0.01),and the protein expression of Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 (both P ＜ 0.01),while gradual decreasing trends were found in the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP in A375 cells (both P ＜ 0.01),the level of lactic acid in the culture supernatant (P ＜ 0.01),and the protein expression of Cyclin D1,Bcl-2 and PKM2 (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Polyphyllin Ⅰ can effectively induce A375 cell apoptosis by promoting the production of ROS in A375 cells and decreasing the mitochondrial membrane potential,and arrest A375 cells at G0/G1 phase by inhibiting the expression of PKM2 and Cyclin D1.