Alopecia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Alopecia, including details on hair loss, baldness, treatment, causes, prevention. | ||||||||
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Chemoprevention of smoke-induced alopecia in mice by oral administration of L-cystine and vitamin B6.D'Agostini F, Fiallo P, Pennisi TM, De Flora S Section of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Via A. Pastore 1, I-16132 Genoa, Italy. fda@unige.it BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated that high doses of environmental cigarette smoke (ECS) induce alopecia in mice. This effect was prevented by the oral administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an analogue and precursor of L-cysteine and reduced glutathione. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed at assessing whether L-cystine, the oxidized form of L-cysteine, which is a key hair component, may behave like NAC in inhibiting ECS-induced alopecia and modulating the mechanisms responsible for this condition. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were exposed whole-body to ECS in a smoking machine. Groups of mice received in the diet, at three dose levels, a mixture of L-cystine with vitamin B6, which plays a role in L-cystine incorporation in hair cells. Occurrence of alopecia areas and apoptosis of hair bulb cells were evaluated for up to 6 months of exposure, and the time course induction of micronucleated erythrocytes in peripheral blood was investigated. RESULTS: The frequency of micronucleated erythrocytes was increased by ECS, irrespective of treatment with L-cystine/vitamin B6. ECS-induced alopecia and apoptosis of hair bulb cells in all exposed mice. L-Cystine/vitamin B6 inhibited alopecia in a dose-dependent fashion. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose ECS induces apoptosis-related alopecia in mice, and oral administration of L-cystine/vitamin B6 is an effective preventive treatment. Published 23 April 2007 in J Dermatol Sci, 46(3): 189-98.
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