Role of Arachidonic Acid in Promoting Hair Growth

Abstract

BackgroundArachidonic acid (AA) is an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid present in all mammalian cell membranes, and involved in the regulation of many cellular processes, including cell survival, angiogenesis, and mitogenesis. The dermal papilla, composed of specialized fibroblasts located in the bulb of the hair follicle, contributes to the control of hair growth and the hair cycle.ObjectiveThis study investigated the effect of AA on hair growth by using in vivo and in vitro models.MethodsThe effect of AA on human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) and hair shaft elongation was evaluated by MTT assay and hair follicle organ culture, respectively. The expression of various growth and survival factors in hDPCs were investigated by western blot or immunohistochemistry. The ability of AA to induce and prolong anagen phase in C57BL/6 mice was analyzed.ResultsAA was found to enhance the viability of hDPCs and promote the expression of several factors responsible for hair growth, including fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF-7) and FGF-10. Western blotting identified the role of AA in the phosphorylation of various transcription factors (ERK, CREB, and AKT) and increased expression of Bcl-2 in hDPCs. In addition, AA significantly promoted hair shaft elongation, with increased proliferation of matrix keratinocytes, during ex vivo hair follicle culture. It was also found to promote hair growth by induction and prolongation of anagen phase in telogen-stage C57BL/6 mice.ConclusionThis study concludes that AA plays a role in promoting hair growth by increasing the expression of growth factors in hDPCs and enhancing follicle proliferation and survival.

The Hair Growth‐Promoting Effect of Rumex japonicus Houtt. Extract

“…Several reports demonstrated that hair growth agents promoted the proliferation and survival of DPC through the activation of ERK1/2 and Akt [32–34]. The ERK signaling is known to be activated by mitogens in all types of mammalian cells and its key roles in cell growth have been established previously [35].…”

Review of Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla cells asin vitroscreening model for hair growth

“…In addition, various other compounds have demonstrated stimulatory effect on DPCs at molecular level .…”

Hair Growth Promoting Effect of Urticadioica L

“…The hair follicle (HF) is composed of epidermal (epithelial) and dermal (mesenchymal) compartments and their interaction has an important role in the morphogenesis of hair, growth of the hair follicle, and the hair cycle [23]. The dermal papilla, composed of specialized fibroblasts located in the bulb of the hair follicle, contributes to the control of hair growth and the hair cycle [21].…”

“…Isolated human scalp hair follicles were cultured as described previously [20,21]. Each HF was cut at the level of the sebaceous duct, and then cultured for 12 days at 37°C (5% CO 2 ) in Williams' E medium (Gibco-BRL laboratories, Grand Island, NY, USA), supplemented with 10 ng/ml hydrocortisone, 10 μg/ml insulin, 2 mM L-glutamine, and antibiotic/antimycotic 1x solution (penicillin and streptomycin, Gibco-BRL laboratories).…”