Influence of prostaglandin F2α and its analogues on hair regrowth and follicular melanogenesis in a murine model

• Published in: Experimental dermatology 2005-05, Vol.14 (5), p.323-328
• Main Authors: Sasaki, S., Hozumi, Y., Kondo, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Dermatology; Hair and nails disorders; hypertrichosis; isopropyl unoprostone; latanoprost; Medical sciences; mouse hair; prostaglandin F2α
• ISSN: 0906-6705; 1600-0625
• DOI: 10.1111/j.0906-6705.2005.00270.x

:  Latanoprost and isopropyl unoprostone, which are analogues of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α), are promising drugs for the reduction of intra‐ocular pressure. However, they have been reported to have side effects, including hypertrichosis and hyperpigmentation of the eyelashes and periocular skin, and occasionally poliosis. In order to investigate these effects further, PGF2α, latanoprost and isopropyl unoprostone were applied to the dorsal skin of 7‐week‐old C57BL/6 mice, and hair length was measured during the treatment. The three molecules all showed stimulatory effects on the murine hair follicles and the follicular melanocytes in both the telogen and anagen stages, and stimulated conversion from the telogen to the anagen phase. PGE2 is known to act synergistically with PGF2α, and hence the influence of PGE2 was also examined. PGE2 did not induce distinct telogen‐to‐anagen conversion, but showed moderate growth stimulatory effects on early anagen hair follicles. In addition, we observed a case of hypertrichosis and trichomegaly with an excess of melanogenesis, leading to the emergence of white hair, suggesting that poliosis can occur as a side effect of eye treatment with solutions of PGF2α analogues. The stimulatory effects of PGF2αand PGE2 on hair growth have been discussed with regard to the role of protein kinase C and mast cells.