Oral cyclosporin A restores hair growth in the DEBR rat model for alopecia areata.
The Dundee experimental bald rat (DEBR) undergoes hair loss associated with the development of peri- and intrafollicular mononuclear cell infiltrates, as occurs in human alopecia areata. We studied the effect of orally administered cyclosporin A (10 mg/kg; 5 days/week for 7 weeks) on established lesional DEBR rats displaying extensive areas of hair loss. New hairs appeared after 10 days and there was simultaneous regrowth of hair over the whole body with restoration of a full pelt by 5 weeks. Semiquantitative histological examination of flank skin biopsies revealed early reduction of the cellular infiltrate associated with conversion of dystrophic anagen follicles to normal, hair-producing follicles. These results confirm the value of the DEBR model of alopecia areata in evaluating existing and new therapies for this disease in humans.
Oliver
R F
RF
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Dundee, UK.
Lowe
J G
JG
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine