title: Effects of the Lexington LaserComb on hair regrowth in the C3H/HeJ mouse model of alopecia areata.
abstract: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease that presents with non-scarring alopecia. It is characterized by intra- or peri-follicular lymphocytic infiltrates composed of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells on histology. To this day, few treatments are effective for AA. Here we present findings of using a low-level laser comb to alleviate the symptoms of AA in a C3H/HeJ mouse model for AA. Fourteen C3H/HeJ mice with induced AA were used in this study. Two were killed to confirm AA through histology. The remaining 12 mice were randomized into two groups; group I received HairMax LaserComb (wavelength: 655 nm, beam diameter <5 mm; divergence 57 mrad; nine lasers) for 20 s daily, three times per week for a total of 6 weeks; group II was treated similarly, except that the laser was turned off (sham-treated). After 6 weeks of LaserComb treatment, hair regrowth was observed in all the mice in group I (laser-treated) but none in group II (sham-treated). On histology, increased number of anagen hair follicles was observed in laser-treated mice. On the other hand, sham-treated mice demonstrated hair follicles in the telogen phase with no hair shaft. LaserComb seems to be an effective and convenient device for the treatment of AA in the C3H/HeJ mouse model. Human studies are required to determine the efficacy and safety of this device for AA therapy.
authors: Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, 1600 NW 10th Avenue, RSMB 2023A, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
authors: Tongyu Cao
authors: TC
authors: Wikramanayake
authors: Rosa
authors: R
authors: Rodriguez
authors: Sonal
authors: S
authors: Choudhary
authors: Lucia M
authors: LM
authors: Mauro
authors: Keyvan
authors: K
authors: Nouri
authors: Lawrence A
authors: LA
authors: Schachner
authors: Joaquin J
authors: JJ
authors: Jimenez
mesh_terms: D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000528:radiation effects*; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology