I transcribed the following abstract for the adenosine trials from http://www.hair2004.com. If the March 21 launch date for Shiseido’s new product Adenogen sticks, we should have an idea of whether this is a viable treatment by late summer. I think I'll wait on reports from other users, given the 6,500 yen/£33/$63 price tag.
P9.123
A Randomized Trial of Adenosine in Androgenetic Alopecia
Tasushi Watanabe, Keishi Nagashima, Noriro Hanzawa, Masashi Ogo, Akihiro Ishino, Yosuke Nakazawa, Masaaki Uemura and Masahiro Tajima
Watanabe Dermatological Clinic, Tokyo, Shinjuku Biru Clinic, Tokyo, Shiseido Science division, Tokyo and Shiseido Research Center, Yokohama, Japan
Objective: Adenosine up-regulates the expression of fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on cultured dermal papilla cells via adenosine receptors. We therefore speculated that adenosine stimulates growth of hair fiber due to the action of FGF7 and VEGF for epithelial cells in hair follicles. In this study, we performed a clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of adenosine in hair loss associated with androgenetic alopecia (Androgenetic Alopecia).
Methods: A hunderd and four volunteers with Androgenetic Alopecia were registered in a randomized double-blind trial that used an adenosine (0.75%) topical lotion or niacin amide (0.1%) topical lotion twice daily for 6 months. Efficacy was evaluated by investigator assessments of change in global scalp coverage, change in the ratio of vellus-like (under 40 um in diameter) and thick hairs (not less 60 um or 80 um in diameter), and hair density, in vertex.
Results: Fifty-one of 52 adenosine-treated subjects and 50 of 52 niacin amide-treated subjects completed the 6-month study. For global improvement, adenosine was significantly superior to niacin amide. Treatment with either lotion resulted in a significantly decreased ratio of vellus-like hair and also significantly increased the ratio of thick hair, but did not change hair density. Regarding the increase in the ratio of thick hair, adenosine was significantly superior to niacin amide. Adverse effects were not found.
Conclusion: In men with Androgenetic Alopecia, adenosine increased hair growth and thickened vellus-like hair without side effects. It would appear that the efficacy of hair growth results from the effects of FGF7 and VEGF which are stimulated by activation of adenosine receptors on dermal papilla cells.
P9.123
A Randomized Trial of Adenosine in Androgenetic Alopecia
Tasushi Watanabe, Keishi Nagashima, Noriro Hanzawa, Masashi Ogo, Akihiro Ishino, Yosuke Nakazawa, Masaaki Uemura and Masahiro Tajima
Watanabe Dermatological Clinic, Tokyo, Shinjuku Biru Clinic, Tokyo, Shiseido Science division, Tokyo and Shiseido Research Center, Yokohama, Japan
Objective: Adenosine up-regulates the expression of fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on cultured dermal papilla cells via adenosine receptors. We therefore speculated that adenosine stimulates growth of hair fiber due to the action of FGF7 and VEGF for epithelial cells in hair follicles. In this study, we performed a clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of adenosine in hair loss associated with androgenetic alopecia (Androgenetic Alopecia).
Methods: A hunderd and four volunteers with Androgenetic Alopecia were registered in a randomized double-blind trial that used an adenosine (0.75%) topical lotion or niacin amide (0.1%) topical lotion twice daily for 6 months. Efficacy was evaluated by investigator assessments of change in global scalp coverage, change in the ratio of vellus-like (under 40 um in diameter) and thick hairs (not less 60 um or 80 um in diameter), and hair density, in vertex.
Results: Fifty-one of 52 adenosine-treated subjects and 50 of 52 niacin amide-treated subjects completed the 6-month study. For global improvement, adenosine was significantly superior to niacin amide. Treatment with either lotion resulted in a significantly decreased ratio of vellus-like hair and also significantly increased the ratio of thick hair, but did not change hair density. Regarding the increase in the ratio of thick hair, adenosine was significantly superior to niacin amide. Adverse effects were not found.
Conclusion: In men with Androgenetic Alopecia, adenosine increased hair growth and thickened vellus-like hair without side effects. It would appear that the efficacy of hair growth results from the effects of FGF7 and VEGF which are stimulated by activation of adenosine receptors on dermal papilla cells.
