Doxorubicin-induced hair loss in the Angora rabbit: a study of treatments to protect against the hair loss.
An animal model for anticancer drug-induced hair loss has been developed using the Angora rabbit given i.v. doxorubicin, 2 mg/kg, twice weekly for 3 weeks. There was a 167% increase in the weight of hair collected by grooming between weeks 2 and 5, and a 72% inhibition of new hair growth at week 6 compared with non-treated animals. The hairs that grew in the doxorubicin treated rabbits did so at the same rate as in non-treated rabbits and appeared normal by light microscopy. Topical application of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), of 10% alpha-tocopherol in DMSO, of 0.5% naphthazoline hydrochloride in DMSO, of 0.1% fluocinolone acetonide in a propylene glycol base and local hypothermia did not provide any protection against doxorubicin-induced hair loss. Angora rabbits fed an alpha-tocopherol-deficient diet for 6 weeks showed decreased hair growth compared with animals fed a normal diet or a diet supplemented with 100 mg alpha-tocopherol acetate twice a week for 6 weeks. Some rabbits fed the alpha-tocopherol-deficient diet died when given doxorubicin. Rabbits fed the alpha-tocopherol-supplemented diet showed evidence of protection against doxorubicin-dependent inhibition of new hair growth.
Department of Pharmacology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
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D000505:Alopecia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000818:Animals; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene / Q000494:pharmacology; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology
D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene; D014810:Vitamin E; D004317:Doxorubicin