Hair Regrowth Following a Wnt- and Follistatin-Containing Treatment

Summary of “Hair Regrowth Following a Wnt- and Follistatin-Containing Treatment: Safety and Efficacy in a First-in-man Phase 1 Clinical Trial,” which was originally published in the November 2011 issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (Volume 10, Issue 11). ((Zimber MP, et al. Hair regrowth following a Wnt- and follistatin containing treatment: safety and efficacy in a first-in-man phase 1 clinical trial. J Drugs Dermatol. 2011 Nov;10(11):1308-12.))

Researchers were aware of the importance of follistatin, a binding protein; Wnt 7a, a signaling protein; and wound healing factors on hair growth. In this study, researchers tested the safety and efficacy of an injection of a mixture of naturally derived molecules on hair growth.

The mixture called the Hair Stimulating Complex (HSC), contained follistatin, as well as keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The mixture also showed activity similar to the Wnt signaling protein.

The 26 subjects, each suffering from androgenetic alopecia or common baldness, were given an injection of the mixture. The researchers found that there were no adverse events upon injection. Biopsies taken at 22 and 52 weeks showed no abnormal morphology at the injection site.

The sites were also studied at 12 weeks and 52 weeks to determine the effects of the HSC injection in a bald area on the scalp. At 12 weeks after the injection, hair shafts had increased in thickness by 6.3% and terminal hair density increased 20.6%. At 52 weeks, there was a statistically significant increase in total hair count.

Results of the study suggest that injection of the HSC mixture improved hair growth in people with androgenetic alopecia and that previous research with Wnts, follistatin, and growth factors associated with wound healing and regeneration has been substantiated.

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