title: Hematological and hepatic effects of vascular epidermal growth factor (VEGF) used to stimulate hair growth in an animal model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alopecia areata is the hair loss usually reversible, in sharply defined areas. The treatment of alopecia using growth factors shows interesting activity in promoting hair growth. In this concept, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) is a marker of angiogenesis, stimulating hair growth by facilitating the supply of nutrients to the hair follicle, increasing follicular diameter. The aim of this study was the evaluation of a topical gel enriched with VEGF liposomes on the hair growth stimulation and its toxicological aspects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mesocricetus auratus were randomly divided into three groups. Control group was treated with Aristoflex® gel, 1% group with the same gel but added 1% VEGF and 3% group with 3% VEGF. Biochemical, hematological and histological analyses were done.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of the experiment (15th day of VEGF treatment) efficacy was determined macroscopically by hair density dermatoscopy analysis, and microscopically by hair diameter analysis. They both demonstrated that hair of the VEGF group increased faster and thicker than control. On the other hand, biochemical and hematological results had shown that VEGF was not 100% inert.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VEGF increased hair follicle area, but more studies are necessary to confirm its toxicity.
authors.forename: Laís Angelo
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Gnann
authors.forename: Rafael Ferreira
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Ligia Ajaime
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Azzalis
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Feder
authors.forename: Fabio Ferreira
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Perazzo
authors.forename: Edimar Cristiano
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Paulo César Pires
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.forename: Virginia Berlanga Campos
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Junqueira
authors.forename: Katya Cristina
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Carlos D' Aparecida
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Francisco Camargo
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Paschoal
authors.forename: Luiz Carlos
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: de Abreu
authors.forename: Vitor Engrácia
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Valenti
authors.affiliation: Disciplina de Farmacologia, Departamento de Morfologia, Faculdade de Medicina do ABC, Av, Príncipe de Gales, n, 821, Santo André, SP, Brazil. profferfonseca@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fernando Luiz Affonso
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Fonseca
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D006224:Cricetinae; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects*; D008647:Mesocricetus; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase