The present trial was designed to evaluate clinical scores (single observer) of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)‐induced skin irritation in a group of subjects (n =10) over a 10‐day period along with various skin function parameters. In order to avoid significant variations due to secondary phenomena, the following parameters were recorded with non‐invasive instruments in this order: skin capacitance (Cl; arbitrary units; CM420 Corneometer), transepidermal water loss (TEWL:, g/m2. H: Evaporimeter) and laser Doppler fowmetry (CBFV: cutaneous blood flow values; Periflux. All examinations were performed during water on reclined relaxed subjects present for at least 10 min in a test, room with controlled temperature und relative humidity (to: 19.5–20.70 C and RH: 47.3 60.3%). The analysis of differential data (∂=value at tx‐value before test; 2‐way ANOVA) was made on single parameters as a function of site (volar forearm versus neck) and time (from 24 h after 48‐h occlusion with 5% SLS up to 10 days later). The profile of erythema scores over time differed between neck and forearm, but the ∂CBFV readings with the laser Doppler instrument did not detect significant site‐time interactions. Roughness (blind evaluation with palpating finger) and capacitance readings (∂CI) showed significant differences between sites, but the profile over time was similar in both locations. ∂TEWL did not differ according to anatomical location. The reason (or different erythema scores on neck and forearm might be related to inherent regional variation of optical properties of the skin or to a substantial contribution of SLS‐induced roughness to the readings of erythema. Indeed, such a discrepancy has already been reported with 10% SLS, and a significant dose effect was observed between 5 and 10% SLS. indicating that these observations were not due to a saturation of the skin vascular response quantified as CBFV. Hence, the influence of optical phenomena on clinical scorings might be worth further consideration.

In recent years we have developed the concept of using automated computer assisted image analysis (ACAIA) for hair growth evaluation. The success of this sophisticated technology depends on the quality of the original images that are fed into the mainframe of the image analyzer. Application of immersion oil onto the scalp site to be photographed appears to improve contrast between hair and scalp and has been named 'Scalp Immersion Proxigraphy' (SIP) in contrast to crude proxigraphy, that is close-up photography without application of immersion oil, commonly used for phototrichogram analysis (PT). In this paper, we report evidence indicating that besides the qualitative improvement of the image, SIP also contributes to generate more accurate quantitative data. Such a conclusion was reached after hair growth variables were compared as a function of the photographic method (SIP vs. PT: 16 scalp sites; 5 balding subjects with clinical features consistent with androgen dependent alopecia). Each site was photographed with both techniques immediately after clipping and 48 h later. After image recording, we manually re-processed the original pictures on transparencies. The original pictures and the transparencies were analyzed with ACAIA. There was a significant difference between methods in terms of evaluation of linear hair growth rate (LHGR; mm/day, n = 1332 hairs; Scheffe F-test, P < 0.05). LHGR recorded with re-processed SIP pictures (0.317 mm/day) was very close to that measured in our laboratory with micrometric methods. Distorted figures were generated by PT, leading to an underestimation of this parameter by 30% on average (0.224 mm/day). From previous studies, we knew that hair diameter correlates with linear hair growth rate: the thinner the hair fiber, the slower the growth rate. Both variables may be considered as additive in terms of severity of the alopecia. In this comparative trial of two phototrichogram techniques, we showed that linear hair growth rates can only be accurately

No abstract

Human hair growth can be monitored for several months after the transplantation of scalp samples from men with androgen-dependent alopecia on to female nude mice. Hair production from balding sites has been shown to be inhibited in testosterone-conditioned nude mice. We used this recently reported model to study the effect of a new non-steroidal antiandrogen-RU58841-on human hair growth. Twenty productive scalp grafts from balding men were maintained for 8 months after grafting on to nude mice, and hair production was monitored monthly for 6 months. All mice were conditioned by the topical application of testosterone (testosterone propionate, 300 micrograms in 10 microL; 5 days/week) on the non-grafted flank. The scalp samples were divided equally according to the estimated hair production potential, which was based on the amount of hair present on the scalp samples before grafting. Each of the two equal groups of grafts was further allocated at random to be treated topically (5 days/week) with blinded solutions of either RU58841 1% in ethanol, or ethanol as a control. Twenty-eight active follicles appeared on the 10 control grafts. Among them only two follicles (7%) initiated a second hair cycle. However, the 10 RU58841-treated grafts bore a total of 29 active follicles, and eight of them (28%) showed a second cycle. The values for the linear hair growth rates (LHGR) were significantly (P < 0.04) higher in the RU58841-treated group. Recycling and increased LHGR indicate a positive action for RU58841 on human hair growth from balding samples grafted on to testosterone-conditioned nude mice, and encourage a clinical trial to evaluate its potential in the treatment of androgen-dependent alopecia.

Human hair growth can be monitored for several months after the transplantation of scalp samples from men with androgen-dependent alopecia on to female nude mice. Hair production from balding sites has been shown to be inhibited in testosterone-conditioned nude mice. We used this recently reported model to study the effect of a new non-steroidal antiandrogen-RU58841-on human hair growth. Twenty productive scalp grafts from balding men were maintained for 8 months after grafting on to nude mice, and hair production was monitored monthly for 6 months. All mice were conditioned by the topical application of testosterone (testosterone propionate, 300 micrograms in 10 microL; 5 days/week) on the non-grafted flank. The scalp samples were divided equally according to the estimated hair production potential, which was based on the amount of hair present on the scalp samples before grafting. Each of the two equal groups of grafts was further allocated at random to be treated topically (5 days/week) with blinded solutions of either RU58841 1% in ethanol, or ethanol as a control. Twenty-eight active follicles appeared on the 10 control grafts. Among them only two follicles (7%) initiated a second hair cycle. However, the 10 RU58841-treated grafts bore a total of 29 active follicles, and eight of them (28%) showed a second cycle. The values for the linear hair growth rates (LHGR) were significantly (P < 0.04) higher in the RU58841-treated group. Recycling and increased LHGR indicate a positive action for RU58841 on human hair growth from balding samples grafted on to testosterone-conditioned nude mice, and encourage a clinical trial to evaluate its potential in the treatment of androgen-dependent alopecia.