Topical adenosine increases thick hair ratio in Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia.
OBJECTIVE
Hair thickness is more important than hair density in the appearance of baldness in male with androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Adenosine improves hair loss by stimulating hair growth and by thickening hair shafts in women. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hair growth efficacy and safety of topical adenosine in men with AGA.


METHODS
A lotion containing either adenosine or niacinamide was administered to the scalps of 102 Japanese men twice daily for 6 months in a double-blind, randomized study. Efficacy was evaluated by dermatologists who assessed the quality of the hair and by calculating the percentages of vellus-like and thick hairs among the vertex hairs, as well as hair density.


RESULTS
Adenosine was significantly (P < 0.05) superior to niacinamide in terms of global improvement of AGA, increase in the percentage of thick hairs (at least 60 μm) and self-assessment of hair thickness by the study participants. No causal adverse event due to the adenosine lotion was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that adenosine increases thick hair ratio in Japanese men with AGA, and this compound is useful for the improvement of AGA.
Watanabe Dermatological Clinic, Tokyo, Japan.
Y
Y
Watanabe
Shinjuku Biru Clinic, Tokyo, Japan.
T
T
Nagashima
Shiseido Research Center, Yokohama, Japan.
N
N
Hanzawa
Shiseido Research Center, Yokohama, Japan.
A
A
Ishino
Shiseido Research Center, Yokohama, Japan.
Y
Y
Nakazawa
Shiseido Research Center, Yokohama, Japan.
M
M
Ogo
Shiseido Research Center, Yokohama, Japan.
T
T
Iwabuchi
Shiseido Research Center, Yokohama, Japan.
M
M
Tajima
D000241:Adenosine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000241:Adenosine
adenosine; androgenetic alopecia; fibroblast growth factor-7; hair growth; hair thickness; minoxidil