Case-Control Study: The Effects of Synthetic Ceramide on Dandruff, Erythema, Sebum Secretion and Water Loss of Scalp / 대한피부과학회지

Background@#Ceramide offers an important barrier function to the epidermis. It can reduce epidermal water loss and inhibit the production of dandruff. Ceramide is essential in protecting hair and can be used as a cosmetic ingredient to improve seborrheic dermatitis and uncomfortable symptoms. @*Objective@#We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of synthetic ceramide on dandruff, erythema, sebum secretion, and scalp water loss. @*Methods@#We enrolled 20 subjects. Ten were randomly assigned to a group using a synthetic ceramide containing shampoo and the other 10 were assigned to the control group. The subjects underwent evaluation of the scalp before the trial and after using the shampoo for 4 weeks. Scores were given for dandruff and scalp erythema. Sebum secretions were evaluated using a sebumeter and were checked at four different scalp sites. The water content of the scalp was measured using a corneometer at the same sites. @*Results@#After 4 weeks, 8 patients showed favorable outcomes in dandruff in the ceramide group compared to 4 patients in the control group. Four patients displayed favorable outcomes in erythema in the ceramide group compared to 3 patients in the control group. Sebum secretion increased in the ceramide group and decreased in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The water content showed a tendency to increase in the ceramide group, whereas the water content significantly decreased in the control group. @*Conclusion@#These results indicate that synthetic ceramide is effective at improving dandruff, erythema, and reducing scalp water loss.

Case-Control Study: The Effects of Synthetic Ceramide on Dandruff, Erythema, Sebum Secretion and Water Loss of Scalp / 대한피부과학회지

Background@#Ceramide offers an important barrier function to the epidermis. It can reduce epidermal water loss and inhibit the production of dandruff. Ceramide is essential in protecting hair and can be used as a cosmetic ingredient to improve seborrheic dermatitis and uncomfortable symptoms. @*Objective@#We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of synthetic ceramide on dandruff, erythema, sebum secretion, and scalp water loss. @*Methods@#We enrolled 20 subjects. Ten were randomly assigned to a group using a synthetic ceramide containing shampoo and the other 10 were assigned to the control group. The subjects underwent evaluation of the scalp before the trial and after using the shampoo for 4 weeks. Scores were given for dandruff and scalp erythema. Sebum secretions were evaluated using a sebumeter and were checked at four different scalp sites. The water content of the scalp was measured using a corneometer at the same sites. @*Results@#After 4 weeks, 8 patients showed favorable outcomes in dandruff in the ceramide group compared to 4 patients in the control group. Four patients displayed favorable outcomes in erythema in the ceramide group compared to 3 patients in the control group. Sebum secretion increased in the ceramide group and decreased in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The water content showed a tendency to increase in the ceramide group, whereas the water content significantly decreased in the control group. @*Conclusion@#These results indicate that synthetic ceramide is effective at improving dandruff, erythema, and reducing scalp water loss.

Various Wavelengths of Light-Emitting Diode Light Regulate the Proliferation of Human Dermal Papilla Cells and Hair Follicles via Wnt/β-Catenin and the Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathways

BACKGROUND: The human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) play an important role in regulation of hair cycling and growth. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different wavelengths of light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation on the proliferation of cultured hDPCs and on the growth of human hair follicles (HFs) in vitro. METHODS: We examined the effect of LED irradiation on Wnt/β-catenin signaling and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in hDPCs. Anagen HFs were cultured with LED irradiation and elongation of each hair shaft was measured. RESULTS: The most potent wavelength in promoting the hDPC proliferation is 660 nm and 830 nm promoted hDPC proliferation to a lesser extent than 660 nm. Various wavelengths significantly increased β-catenin, Axin2, Wnt3a, Wnt5a and Wnt10b mRNA expression. LED irradiation significantly increased β-catenin and cyclin D expression, and the phosphorylation of MAPK and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). HFs irradiated with 415 nm and 660 nm grew longer than control. CONCLUSION: Our result suggests that LED has a potential to stimulate hDPC proliferation via the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and ERK pathway. To our best knowledge, this is the first report which investigated that the effect of various wavelengths of LED on hDPC proliferation and the underlying mechanisms.

Repeated Microneedle Stimulation Induces Enhanced Hair Growth in a Murine Model

BACKGROUND: Microneedle is a method that creates transdermal microchannels across the stratum corneum barrier layer of skin. No previous study showed a therapeutic effect of microneedle itself on hair growth by wounding. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of repeated microwound formed by microneedle on hair growth and hair growth-related genes in a murine model. METHODS: A disk microneedle roller was applied to each group of mice five times a week for three weeks. First, to identify the optimal length and cycle, microneedles of lengths of 0.15 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, and 1 mm and cycles of 3, 6, 10, and 13 cycles were applied. Second, the effect of hair growth and hair-growth-related genes such as Wnt3a, β-catenin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and Wnt10b was observed using optimized microneedle. Outcomes were observed using visual inspection, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: We found that the optimal length and cycle of microneedle treatment on hair growth was 0.25 mm/10 cycles and 0.5 mm/10 cycles. Repeated microneedle stimulation promoted hair growth, and it also induced the enhanced expression of Wnt3a, β-catenin, VEGF, and Wnt10b. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence that microneedle stimulation can induce hair growth via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and VEGF. Combined with the drug delivery effect, we believe that microneedle stimulation could lead to new approaches for alopecia.

Synergistic Proliferating Effects of Electrical Stimulation and Minoxidil on Human Dermal Papilla Cells / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Previous published clinical studies have demonstrated the positive effects of electrical stimulation (ES) on hair growth. Minoxidil (MXD) enhances hair growth by prolonging the anagen phase of hair follicles. MXD is used to promote hair growth in androgenetic alopecia. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the combined effect of ES and MXD on cultured human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). METHODS: To investigate the combined effect of ES and MXD on cultured human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). Methods: hDPCs were electrically stimulated with different parameter settings of alternating current. Electrically stimulated hDPCs were incubated in an MXD medium, after which cell proliferation was measured using an MTT assay. Ki-67 and β-catenin expressions were measured by immunofluorescence assay. In addition, Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related gene expressions were measured by real time-PCR, and phosphorylated ERK and AKT protein levels were measured by western blot assay. RESULTS: The combination of 8 V-1 MHz ES and MXD treatment promoted hDPC proliferation effectively, compared with that in the control, ES alone, or MXD alone treatment groups. The immunofluorescence assay showed that the expression of Ki-67 and β-catenin significantly increased in the combined treatment group. Most of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related gene expressions increased more with combined treatment than with the control, ES alone, or MXD alone treatments. However, there were no significant differences in the expression levels of phosphorylated ERK and AKT among the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: ES combined with MXD treatment had a synergistic effect on the proliferation of hDPCs. This might be through the synergistic activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Notch Intracellular Domain Expression in Various Skin Fibroproliferative Diseases

BACKGROUND: The effects of the Notch signaling pathway in fibroproliferative skin diseases have not been fully elucidated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of activated Notch signaling molecules in various skin fibroproliferative diseases. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis of Notch intracellular domain (NICD) expression in keloid, hypertrophic scar, morphea, dermatofibroma, and normal control skin specimens was performed, and the clinical characteristics of patients with various skin fibroproliferative diseases were analyzed. RESULTS: NICD was highly expressed in fibroblasts of keloids and moderately to highly expressed in hypertrophic scars and dermatofibromas, whereas low or no expression was detected in the fibroblasts of normal skin specimens and morpheas. NICD was constitutively expressed in keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and immune cells in normal skin specimens. CONCLUSION: NICD was significantly expressed in human fibroproliferative skin disorders, especially keloids, suggesting that an activated Notch signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of skin fibrosis.