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Curr Dir Autoimmun. 2008;10:280-312.

Alopecia areata.

King LE Jr, McElwee KJ, Sundberg JP.

Division of Dermatology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn.,
USA.

The pathogenesis of organ specific, cell mediated autoimmune alopecia areata (AA) has substantially progressed in the last decade. These advances are partly based upon advances in immunology and genetics, improved technological methodology in RNA, DNA, proteomics, and computer analyses, as well as the development of the C3H/HeJ mouse model of AA. The discovery that full thickness skin grafts transfer AA from C3H/HeJ mice that spontaneously develop AA to multiple non-affected C3H/HeJ mice greatly shortened the time of AA onset and provided many more affected mice in this highly reproducible model of AA. These methodological and genetic advances combine to form practical bases for identifying subtypes of human and mouse AA, characterizing disease mechanisms, improving currently available treatments, and developing new, more effective therapies. In the next decade even more exciting new insights into the pathogenesis of subtypes of human AA, their genetic bases, and therapy development will become available based on in-depth data on specific gene mutations and signaling pathways involved. Other organ specific autoimmune diseases will surely benefit from the rapid progress in
understanding AA.

    Experimental induction of alopecia areata-like hair loss in C3H/HeJ mice using
full-thickness skin grafts. [J Invest Dermatol. 1998] PMID:9804341

    [Alopecia areata in animal models--new insights into pathogenesis and treatment
of a T cell-mediated autoimmune disorder] [J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2004]
PMID:16285322

    Mouse alopecia areata models: an array of data on mechanisms and genetics. [J
Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2003] PMID:14582668

    Alopecia areata – animal models. [Clin Exp Dermatol. 2002] PMID:12190642

    Melanocyte and gonad activity as potential severity modifying factors in C3H/HeJ
mouse alopecia areata. [Exp Dermatol. 2001] PMID:11737261

Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Apr 16;(2):CD007091.

Five-alpha-reductase Inhibitors for prostate cancer prevention.

Wilt TJ, MacDonald R, Hagerty K, Schellhammer P, Kramer BS.

VAMC, General Internal Medicine (111-0), One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55417, USA. Tim.Wilt@med.va.gov

BACKGROUND: Five-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5ARI) are frequently used to treat
bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic
hyperplasia and male androgenic alopecia. They have potential as chemopreventive
agents. OBJECTIVES: We sought to estimate the effectiveness and harms of 5ARI in
preventing prostate cancer. SEARCH STRATEGY: MEDLINE, PreMEDLINE, and the
Cochrane Collaboration Library were searched through April 2007 to identify
randomized trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: For prostate cancer outcomes we included
randomized controlled trials of at least 1 year in duration published after 1984.
For non-prostate cancer outcomes, randomized trials were included if: they were
at least 6 months in duration published after 1999. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
The primary outcome was prostate cancer period-prevalence “for-cause.”
“For-cause” was defined as prostate cancer clinically detected based on symptoms,
an abnormal digital rectal exam, or detected as a result of an abnormal prostate
specific antigen value. Trials were categorized as long (> 2 year), mid (1-2
years) and short (< 1 year) term. MAIN RESULTS: Nine trials reported prostate
cancer period-prevalence. Three trials using finasteride lasted 4 years or longer
but only one (the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial) was specifically designed to
assess the impact of 5ARI on prostate cancer period-prevalence. The mean age of
enrollees was 64.6 years, 91% were white, mean PSA was 2.1 ng/mL. For-cause
prostate cancers comprised 54% of all cancers detected. Finasteride was
associated with a 26% relative risk reduction in prostate cancers detected
for-cause among all randomized subjects (relative risk 0.74 [95% CI 0.67 to
0.83]; absolute risk reduction = 1.4% (3.5% versus 4.9%). Six trials assessed
prostate cancers detected overall with a pooled 26% relative reduction favoring
5ARI (relative risk 0.74 [95% CI 0.55 to1.00]; 2.9% absolute reduction (6.3%
versus 9.2%). Reductions were observed regardless of age, race or family history
of prostate cancer but not among men with baseline PSA > 4.0 ng/mL. A greater
number of high Gleason score tumors (7-10 or 8-10) occurred in men on finasteride
in the PCPT. Impaired sexual or erectile function or endocrine effects were more
common with finasteride than placebo. AUTHORS’ CONCLUSIONS: 5ARI reduce prostate
cancer risk but may increase the risk of high-grade disease in men who are
undergoing regular screening for prostate cancer using prostate specific antigen
and digital rectal examination. Effects are consistent across race, family
history and age and possibly 5ARI but were limited to men with baseline PSA
values <4.0 ng/mL. The impact of 5ARI on absolute or relative rates of prostate
cancer in men who are not being regularly screened is not clear. Information is
inadequate to assess the impact of 5ARI on mortality.

PMID: 18425978 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Links

    The influence of finasteride on the development of prostate cancer. [N Engl J
Med. 2003] PMID:12824459

    A review of the clinical efficacy and safety of 5alpha-reductase inhibitors for
the enlarged prostate. [Clin Ther. 2007] PMID:17379044

    Early versus deferred androgen suppression in the treatment of advanced prostatic
cancer. [Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002] PMID:11869665

    Prediction of prostate cancer for patients receiving finasteride: results from
the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. [J Clin Oncol. 2007] PMID:17634486

    Should finasteride be used to prevent prostate cancer? [Curr Treat Options Oncol.
2006] PMID:16904051

Nippon Rinsho. 2008 May;66(5):892-6.

[Hair follicle regeneration]

[Article in Japanese]

Itami S.

Department of Regenerative Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka
University.

Hair growth cycle is coordinated with complex processes that are dependent on the
interactions of follicular stem cells and dermal papilla cells (DPCs). For the
past 10 years, the developmental mechanism of hair follicles has been extensively
studied, and spatial and temporal expressions of many molecules are required for
the hair morphogenesis. These molecules are also required for hair cycle
progression. Androgen receptor, which is a ligand dependent transcription factor,
plays an important role in human hair cycle. Frontal scalp DPCs from androgenetic
alopecia (AGA) are the target cells of androgen action. Minoxidil and Finasteride
were recently introduced for the treatment of AGA, and cell therapy using DPCs is
a next strategy for the innovative treatment.

PMID: 18464507 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Links

    [Pathomechanism of androgenetic alopecia and new treatment] [Nippon Ronen Igakkai
Zasshi. 2004] PMID:15651368

    Molecular mechanisms of androgenetic alopecia. [Exp Gerontol. 2002] PMID:12213548

    Androgen-inducible TGF-beta1 from balding dermal papilla cells inhibits
epithelial cell growth: a clue to understand paradoxical effects of androgen on
human hair growth. [FASEB J. 2002] PMID:12397096

    Role of androgen in mesenchymal epithelial interactions in human hair follicle.
[J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2005] PMID:16382666

    Role of hair papilla cells on induction and regeneration processes of hair
follicles. [Wound Repair Regen. 1998] PMID:9893172

Int J Cosmet Sci. 2001 Jun;23(3):139-45.

A study on the conditioning effects of natural shampoos using the scanning
electron microscope.

Bellare J, Iyer R, Mainkar AR, Jolly CI.

Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, Powai,
Mumbai-400 076, India.

The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was successfully used to study the effects
of toiletry treatment with shampoo on the microstructure of hair. This paper
describes the use of SEM for comparing the conditioning effects of herbal
shampoos. Commercially available herbal shampoos are not completely natural, but
contain herbal extracts in a synthetic detergent base, along with other chemical
additives. Completely natural shampoos were formulated in the laboratory and
their conditioning effects were evaluated by comparing with a commercially
available herbal shampoo. The micrographs were studied quantitatively using
‘Image Analyser Software’ and the extent to which the hair scales were uplifted
was measured. The results obtained from the quantitative comparison were in
agreement with those obtained from other tests, such as protein loss
determination. The damage caused to the hair due to sodium lauryl sulphate was
visible in the micrographs. The laboratory formulations were found to be better
than the commercially available product. Thus, quantitative measurements from SEM
micrographs are a valuable tool to compare the conditioning effects of hair care
products.

PMID: 18498466 [PubMed - in process]

Related Links

    Conditioning polymers in today’s shampoo formulations – efficacy, mechanism and
test methods. [Int J Cosmet Sci. 2000] PMID:18503458

    The antifungal action of dandruff shampoos. [Mycopathologia. 1999] PMID:10967964

    Evaluation of commercial herbal shampoos. [Int J Cosmet Sci. 2000] PMID:18503425

    Shampoos: ingredients, efficacy and adverse effects. [J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2007]
PMID:17451380

    [Formaldehyde in hair shampoos] [Derm Beruf Umwelt. 1979] PMID:573679