Effects of topical application of EGCG on testosterone-induced hair loss in a mouse model

Exp Dermatol. 2011 Dec;20(12):1015-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2011.01353.x. Epub 2011 Sep 22.

Abstract

We investigated the effect of topical epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on testosterone (T)-induced hair loss in mice. Marked hair loss was observed at the T-injected site, and topical EGCG significantly reduced the hair loss (P < 0.05). TUNEL staining showed apoptosis of follicular epithelial cells in the T-injected groups where topical EGCG was found to significantly diminish T-induced apoptosis (P < 0.05). Topical EGCG down-regulated the T-induced expression of androgen receptor but did not down-regulate 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) and three β-HSD expression. Analysis using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) on serum and tissue samples revealed no significant difference in T and dihydrotestosterone concentrations between the T-injected and T + EGCG groups. Thus, we found that T injection in a mouse model induces hair loss by apoptosis of the hair follicles rather than through the androgen metabolic pathway and also saw that T-induced apoptosis of hair follicles was reduced by topical EGCG.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / metabolism
  • 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / metabolism
  • Alopecia / chemically induced
  • Alopecia / metabolism
  • Alopecia / pathology
  • Alopecia / prevention & control*
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Catechin / administration & dosage
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Catechin / pharmacology
  • Catechin / therapeutic use
  • Cyproterone Acetate / administration & dosage
  • Cyproterone Acetate / pharmacology
  • Cyproterone Acetate / therapeutic use
  • Dihydrotestosterone / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Female
  • Hair / drug effects
  • Hair / metabolism
  • Hair Follicle / drug effects
  • Hair Follicle / metabolism
  • Hair Follicle / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred CBA
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
  • Sebaceous Glands / drug effects
  • Sebaceous Glands / metabolism
  • Testosterone / metabolism
  • Testosterone / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Dihydrotestosterone
  • Testosterone
  • Cyproterone Acetate
  • Catechin
  • epigallocatechin gallate
  • 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
  • 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases