Safety and efficacy analysis of liposomal insulin-like growth factor-1 in a fluid gel formulation for hair-loss treatment in a hamster model

Abstract

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 has shown some interesting results in studies examining its use as a hair-loss treatment. IGF-1 works by regulating cellular proliferation and migration during the development of hair follicles. Hepatotoxicity and myelotoxicity were evaluated in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) after topical application of the liquid gel vehicle (placebo), 1% IGF-1 or 3% IGF-1. No significant difference in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase was found between the control and treated groups. ELISA did not shown any increase in the plasma level of IGF-1. A haematopoietic niche was found, but it was not associated with myelotoxicity. Efficacy was determined by dermatoscopy analysis of hair density and microscopy analysis of hair diameter, with hair found to be thicker and with more rapid growth in the 3% group than in either the 1% group or the control group. These results strongly suggest that liposomal IGF-1 in a liquid gel formulation is a safe and efficient treatment for hair loss.

Hematological and hepatic effects of vascular epidermal growth factor (VEGF) used to stimulate hair growth in an animal model

“…Our previous results have shown that a liposomal liquid gel formulation containing insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was efficacious in promoting hair growth and density, without evidence of adverse effects such as hepatoxicity [8]. This present study aimed to verify the safety and efficacy of another growth factor – VEGF.…”

Further Clinical Evidence for the Effect of IGF-1 on Hair Growth and Alopecia

“…Alternatively, liposomal IGF-1 and VEGF in topical gel formulations to promote hair growth have been studied in the hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus ); their efficacy was determined by dermoscopic analysis of hair density and microscopic analysis of the hair diameter. The hair was found to grow faster and thicker in the 3% liposomal IGF-1 and VEGF groups than in the respective 1% or control groups [29]. …”

Platelet-rich plasma for androgenic alopecia treatment: A comprehensive review

“…Owing to the short half-life of growth factors (which is on the scale of hours) as compared to the timeframe required for hair growth, the latter method, which utilizes CaCl2, is more applicable to AGA treatment [14]. Table 1 lists growth factors present in PRP and their suspected mechanism in the treatment of AGA (Table 1), [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30].…”

“…Anagen phase induction via B-catenin expression [25] Angiogenesis [19] Dermal fibroblast and hair follicle mitogen [20] HGF c Hair follicle elongation [27] Inhibits catagen phase induction [26] IGF-1 d Hair follicle proliferation during development [28] Increase hair density and inhibit apoptosis [17,28] PDGF e…”