Plastic Surgery for Men QT: Are there Stem Cells for Baldness?

Baldness is probably the one thing that causes men more anxiety than anything else in their life. Now, scientists believe they may have found a new way to reverse baldness and treat conditions like alopecia.

Scientists have identified stem cells or master cells in the hair follicles of mice. They found that these cells grow into hair follicles and produce hair when transplanted into skin. George Cotsarelis, Assistant Professor of dermatology from the University of Pennsylvania, said that the study could lead to new ways of treating hair loss in humans through drugs or surgery.

"This may lead to a new type of tissue engineering for treating baldness - for example, isolating hair follicle stem cells from the scalp and reconstituting hair follicles in bald areas," Dr Cotsarelis said. "I can't predict the future but this type of research certainly opens new avenues for developing new treatments for baldness."

The study, published in the journal Nature Biotechnology, isolated the stem cells within the bulbous follicle at the base of a hair shaft. Sometimes these follicles go into a permanent resting phase, halting hair regeneration. When the researchers transplanted the stem cells into the skin of other mice, hair follicles began to re-grow within four weeks.

"Now that we can isolate stem cells involved in hair growth, we can develop targets for manipulating hair growth," Dr Cotsarelis said.

Receding hairlines and the arrival of the bald patch are feared by men around the globe. Hair may start to disappear from the temples and the crown of the head at any time. For some men this process starts as early as the later teenage years, for most it happens in the late 20s and early 30s. Initially it may just be a little thinning that's noticed. Then, the absence of hair allows more of the scalp to become visible.

Some men are not troubled by this process at all. Others, however, suffer great emotional distress associated with a lack of self-confidence and sometimes depression.

In male pattern baldness, which is hereditary, the hair is usually lost at the temples and the crown. This happens because an over-sensitivity of the hair follicle to normal levels of testosterone switches the hair loss gene on. Not every hair follicle has this gene which is why some hair falls out whilst other hair doesn't. Other causes of hair-loss that are usually reversible include; iron deficiency anaemia; under-active thyroid; fungal scalp infection; some prescribed medicines; and stress.

Scientists have long-suspected that hair follicles contained stem cells. However, it has proved difficult to isolate these cells in humans. This latest study raises hopes that they can now track these genes and identify stem cells in human hair follicles. "Ultimately, these findings provide potential targets for the treatment of hair loss and other disorders of skin and hair," the researchers wrote.

While the discovery could lead to new treatments for baldness and conditions like alopecia, the researchers believe it may also help burn victims. "One problem with a burn is that the wound is never covered with hair follicles," said Dr Cotsarelis. "These cells have that capability so if we can isolate them and seed them onto a wound we can constitute skin that is more normal than currently possible."


Hair multiplication

Stem cells and dermal papilla cells have been discovered in hair follicles and some researchers predict research on these follicular cells may lead to successes in treating baldness through hair multiplication (HM), also called hair cloning.

HM is being developed by ARI (Aderans Research Institute, a Japanese owned company in the USA).

In 2008, Intercytex, a company in Manchester (UK), announced positive results of a Phase II trial for a form of cloning hair follicles from the back of the neck, multiplying them and then reimplanting the cells into the scalp. The initial testing resulted in at least two thirds of male patients regrowing hair. As of 2009, the company estimates this treatment will take "a number of years to complete" Phase III trials before it can go to market.

However, after failing to achieve subsequent success in their trials, the company announced discontinuation of its hair multiplication project in January 2010 with intention to sell off its assets and research.[30] In March 25, 2010 Aderans Research Institute Inc. (ARI) announced it acquired key technology assets from Regenerative Medicine Assets Limited (formerly

In May 2007, U.S. company Follica Inc, announced they have licensed technology from the University of Pennsylvania which can regenerate hair follicles by reawakening genes which were once active only in the embryo stage of human development. Skin apparently can be brought back to this embryonic state when a wound is healing. Hair growth was discovered in the skin wounds of mice when Wnt proteins were introduced to the site. Development of a human treatment is expected to take several years.
resource: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldness_treatments

In other news:

New Clinically Proven Treatment for Hair Loss Now Available in the United Kingdom and Europe

2010-07-02 23:56:54 - Eucapil, a relatively new treatment for male pattern baldness is now available in the UK and the rest of Europe. The product has been clinically proven to help treat hair loss, in a 12 month double blind, placebo controlled University study.

Eucapil is a relatively new product on the market, to treat the age old problem of male pattern baldness. It has been scientifically proven to be effective in double blind controlled clinical studies.

Menspharma, the exclusive UK distributor of Eucapil, whose website can be found at
www.menspharma.com have carried out two user surveys and can now report the following extremely encouraging results:

In the most recent study involving over 150 random users, the following results were reported by current Eucapil users; 62% of respondents fell into the 25 to 40 age range. 73% of respondents reported a complete cessation or slowing down of their hair loss within 1 to 6 months of use and perhaps most significant of all 48% of respondents reported varying levels of regrowth of hair in the vertex (crown) and temple areas.

As the product is topically applied (i.e. directly to the scalp) and is not absorbed by the body, it therefore has the added bonus of none of the unwanted side effects associated with other clinically proven treatments for hair loss currently available, which are absorbed by the body and can cause a variety of unwanted side effects.

In summary, Eucapil is a safe, approved, tried and tested, clinically proven treatment to help fight male pattern baldness
resource: http://www.pr-inside.com/new-clinically-proven-treatment-for-r1982885.htm

How and where is Eucapil^® approved?

Eucapil^® is approved as a cosmetic hair care agent for topical use in the Czech and Slovak Republics and can therefore be employed as such in all other EU countries.

 

Is Eucapil^® approved in the U.S., Japan or Canada?

Eucapil^® is not yet approved for sale in these countries. Depending on the particular regulations , cosmetics can be brought in by travelers or imported for personal use. Please consult your customs agency.

 

Where is it possible to buy Eucapil^®?

Eucapil^® can be purchased in selected pharmacies throughout the Czech and Slovak Republics or on-line at www.menspharma.com and www.eucapil-shop.eu which will expedited to other EU and other countries.

 

Will Eucapil^® be effective if applied to the hair?

Eucapil^® was designed to be applied directly to the scalp in order to enter the hair follicles thus affecting the hair loss and promoting strengthening of the hair stem. Application of Eucapil^® to the hair only would thus not be effective.

 

How does Eucapil^® work?

The mechanism of Eucapil^® action is explained in the introduction, Hair Loss .

 

 

 

Will Eucapil^® affect hair on other regions of the body?

Eucapil^® applied to the scalp skin will promote hair growth only in that region. Effect of Eucapil^® formulated as gel has been studied in facial hirsutism (excessive growth of hair in women) where the male hormone promotes hair growth (in contradistinction to the scalp).

 

Will Eucapil^® affect the body systemically?

Daily application of Eucapil^® has not affected the normal levels of testosterone in the body. This was demonstrated in a 12-month clinical trial in young males. (see the articles).

 

What will happen if Eucapil^® gets into my eyes?

If Eucapil^® runs into the eyes during application, the eyes should be immediately flushed with copious amounts of water. The studies indicate that Eucapil^® has a low irritation potential and any ocular irritancy observed in safety studies proved to be completely reversible. As noted in our package insert, we recommend applying Eucapil^® with the head tilted back to facilitate its distribution and to prevent exposure to the eyes.

 

Is the isopropyl alcohol formulation of Eucapil^® safe?

Isopropyl alcohol, also known by its common name rubbing alcohol, is used in many cosmetic products, is listed in the Pharmacopeias as a useful topical vehicle which has low hazard potential to human health.

 

When is the best time to apply Eucapil^®?

Although it is recommended that Eucapil^® be applied at bedtime, it can be used any time, provided that the scalp is dry.

Will shampoo affect Eucapil^®?

No, but for maximum effectiveness Eucapil^® should not be washed away soon after the application. It can be applied after shampooing, making certain first that the scalp is completely dry.

 

What about Eucapil^® and sun exposure?

While using Eucapil^®, it is not recommended to expose the scalp to strong sun: sunburn, the scalp inflammatory reaction, might be potentiated.

 

Can Eucapil^® be used with other topical hair loss treatments?

We hear that some customers are using Eucapil^® concurrently with other hair loss treatments. The effectiveness or safety of Eucapil^® in combinations has not yet been studied. Eucapil^® may not be applied simultaneously with water based products.

 

Can women use Eucapil^®?

Eucapil^® is safe for treatment of hair loss in women. As a precaution it should not be used by women who are pregnant, breast-feeding or planning to become pregnant.

 

What side effects can I expect from Eucapil^®?

To this day, no side effects have been observed from daily topical use of Eucapil^® when used as described in the product insert. Patients with a propensity toward seborrheic dermatitis (scalp irritation) may experience a flare-up of their condition attributable to the topical rubbing alcohol component of Eucapil^® . These events proved reversible upon cessation of use.

 

How long must I use Eucapil^®?

Eucapil^® should be used daily, as long as necessary. We cannot predict individual responsiveness.

 

Can I increase the dose of Eucapil^®?

There is no evidence that increasing the daily dose of Eucapil^® would increase its effectiveness.

 

Can I use Eucapil^® twice daily?

The current studies indicate that once a day application of Eucapil^® is sufficient.

 

Can Eucapil^® be used with all colors and types of hair?

Yes, but we have occasionally seen that white hair can acquire a light yellowish hue which nevertheless can readily be washed away.

 

Is Eucapil^® still effective if people shampoo their hair daily? Is it absolutely necessary that the user shampoos no more than once or twice a week?

First, one would generally assume that applying anything on the scalp and then washing it right away would probably be counter-productive. Second, Eucapil^® was designed to degrade in the water environment. This is a security feature. Eucapil^® is resorbed into the skin only, there is no evidence for systemic resorption and any side-effects:. Eucapil^® was designed to decompose should it for whatever reason enter the body, (such as accidental ingestion). Therefore, it is important not to apply fluridil to the scalp when wet. Third, shampoos remove the skin and hair fat effectively and thus signal to the sebaceous glands to work harder: a vicious circle is thus established. We hear from Eucapil^® users who have reduced their shampooing frequency, washed hair with warm water and some soap only, or used the so-called “dry shampoos” that although it took many weeks before the scalp glands´ activity returned to normal, it eventually did.

 

What is the topical/local half-life before Eucapil^® is absorbed/distributed into the circulation?

Eucapil^® is designed not to be resorbed systemically and to act only topically on the scalp skin. Not even traces of fluridil ( measured at the extremely low level of 5 nanograms /ml) or its decomposition products were found in the blood or urine of the subjects who used the product over an extended period of time. Fluridil is also designed to degrade in an aqueous environment, such as if accidentally swallowed. The topical half-life (on the skin) cannot be determined as it depends on the individual humidity and overall condition of the skin.

 

How soon can we expect the release of Eucapil^® in France and other European countries?

The substance fluridil has been registered via France in the EU, and approval of Eucapil^® as a cosmetic hair-care agent has been granted in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Eucapil^® can therefore be utilized in other EU countries. Several other countries have also approved the product as a cosmetic agent.

 

Can patients use minoxidil or perhaps other water based topicals in combination with Eucapil^®? If people can use minoxidil in combination with fluridil, do they apply minoxidil before, after or simultaneously with Eucapil^®?

We have not studied the combination of Eucapil^® and minoxidil. If users of Eucapil^® decide to explore such combination, it would be reasonable – for the reasons of stability stated above – that minoxidil be applied first and then Eucapil^® after, when the scalp is completely dry, surely not at the same time. It should be considered that most formulations of minoxidil contain water which can cause Eucapil^® to decompose .

 

How would you compare the effectiveness of Eucapil^® to that of finasteride, dutasteride and minoxidil, respectively?

Eucapil^® has not yet been tested in a comparative study with the above media. The data in the Drug Development Research can be compared to the published data for these and other products.

 

DISCLAIMER

Interpharma Praha, a.s., the manufacturer of fluridil and Eucapil^®, and Biophysica, Inc., the holder of patent rights to fluridil, are not responsible for the correctness, completeness, reliability or usefulness of the information provided below. Viewing these questions does not constitute a consultation or the rendering of advice. While there may be information below related to certain medical conditions and their treatment, should a medical condition exist, promptly see your own physician or health care provider. Please consult the labeling of this cosmetic product before using it.