Objective: To investigate the protective effects of minocycline against hair follicle damage induced by cytosine arabinoside (Ara-c).
Methods: An in vitro organ culture of mouse vibrissa follicles was used and different concentrations of Ara-c and minocycline were added in the culture media. The total growth length, growth speed and growth period of hair were observed with invert microscopy and the survival of hair bulb cells was measured by MTT method.
Result: Minocycline (0.3 x 10(-6) approximately 10(-5) mol/L) improved hair follicle total growth length, growth speed and hair growth period and also improved survival of hair bulb cells in vitro organ culture, which were inhibited by Ara-c.
Conclusion: Minocycline can protect hair follicle directly from damage induced by Ara-c.