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Biomedical subjects

V H Price

Publications and source records attributed to V H Price.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of topical minoxidil in extensive alopecia areata.

The safety and efficacy of 3% topical minoxidil were evaluated in the treatment of extensive patchy alopecia areata, alopecia totalis, and alopecia universalis. Patients with extensive patchy alopecia areata had greater than 50% scalp hair loss. In this double-blind study, thirty subjects applied minoxidil or placebo to half of the afflicted scalp area twice daily, with overnight petrolatum occlusion, for 1 year. Both male and female subjects, ranging in age from 9 to 65 years, were enrolled, fifteen subjects to each treatment group. Minoxidil applications were generally well tolerated except for three instances of scalp itching and dermatitis, two of which necessitated discontinuing the medication. Hair growth was seen in seven of eleven evaluable subjects (63.6%) in the minoxidil group and in five of fourteen evaluable subjects (35.7%) in the placebo group. Excellent, cosmetically acceptable hair growth was seen in three of eleven minoxidil-treated subjects (27.3%) and in one of fourteen placebo-treated subjects (7.1%). Examination of vital signs and laboratory measurements revealed no evidence of systemic effects of minoxidil. Seven of the twelve subjects assayed in the minoxidil group had detectable minoxidil serum levels, ranging from 0.4 to 7.5 ng/ml.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1987

Topical minoxidil (3%) in extensive alopecia areata, including long-term efficacy.

This study was conducted to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of 3% topical minoxidil in the treatment of extensive alopecia areata. Patients were assigned to one of two treatment regimens in a double-blind manner. One group applied 3% minoxidil to the scalp twice daily for 64 weeks; the other group applied placebo for the initial 12 weeks and then switched to 3% minoxidil for the remaining 52 weeks. Thirty male and female subjects, ages 7 to 63 years, with extensive alopecia areata affecting 25% to 100% of the scalp were enrolled, fifteen subjects to each treatment group. Twenty-four of the thirty subjects had greater than 75% scalp hair loss. At 12 weeks the group treated with 3% minoxidil had slightly more hair growth than the placebo group, but the difference was not statistically significant. At 64 weeks, thirteen of twenty subjects (65%) who began with less than full scalp involvement (25% to 99% scalp hair loss) had terminal hair growth that was incomplete or cosmetically acceptable; of these, nine (45%) were cosmetically acceptable, a response that is significant in patients with severe alopecia areata. No hair growth or only slight growth was seen in all nine patients with 100% scalp hair loss at baseline. Thus the extent of hair loss at baseline was correlated with response at 64 weeks. Twenty-one of the patients continued treatment for a second year. Of these, thirteen showed further growth, three had no further growth, and five who had cosmetically acceptable hair growth during the first year had some hair loss.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1987

Topical minoxidil in extensive alopecia areata, including 3-year follow-up.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of topical minoxidil is the fact that this drug can promote hair growth in two unrelated conditions: alopecia areata (AA) and androgenetic alopecia. The two conditions have quite different underlying mechanisms. In AA, hair follicles respond to some signal or cell injury by entering a state of aborted cyclical activity; this state can reverse itself spontaneously, or it can be temporarily circumvented with nonspecific immunomodulating agents. In androgenetic alopecia, genetically marked hair follicles undergo progressive, androgen-mediated miniaturization; antiandrogens have been conventionally sought to intercept this process. It is not known how minoxidil promotes hair growth except that living follicles capable of stimulation and hypertrophy are required. It may be that minoxidil influences some fundamental signal to the follicular apparatus, irrespective of the pathophysiology involved. We have used topical minoxidil solution in 90 patients, aged 7-63 years, with extensive AA affecting 25-100% of the scalp. One study was double-blind, and placebo-controlled for an entire year. Minoxidil-treated patients responded better than placebo-treated patients. Both 3 and 5% topical minoxidil solutions have been used, and treatment with the 3% solution has continued for up to 3 years. The results of these studies will be discussed. While topical minoxidil is not very effective for those with 100% scalp hair loss, it is an effective, easy and safe treatment for those with AA affecting 25-99% of the scalp.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1984

Trichothiodystrophy: an electron-histochemical study of the hair shaft.

We have used sensitive electron-histochemical methods to study the subtle ultrastructural variations of cystine incorporation into the hair shaft in trichothiodystrophy. We have shown a general reduction in the cystine (sulphur) content of both the cuticle and the cortex. Discontinuity, and in some cases, complete absence of the cuticular A-layer results in premature weathering of the cuticle and weakening of the hair shaft. The ultrastructural findings support the work of Gillespie & Marshall (1981) in demonstrating the absence or re-characterization of the high sulphur matrix proteins and show further evidence for the incorporation, and abnormal distribution and deposition of sulphur-rich proteins in the hair cortex and cuticle. We conclude that the similar yet different results obtained from each patient's hair sample are characteristic of trichothiodystrophy, a neuro-ectodermal symptom complex which may represent a final common pathway of more than one metabolic disturbance.

Cystine↗
PubMed1980

Trichothiodystrophy: sulfur-deficient brittle hair as a marker for a neuroectodermal symptom complex.

Trichothiodystrophy, or sulfur-deficient brittle hair, is a clinical marker for a neuroectodermal symptom complex that usually features mental and physical retardation and may also include nail dystrophy, lamellar ichthyosis, ocular dysplasia, dental caries, and decreased fertility. Cystine-deficient hair is common to all patients. The hairs from two new patients were studied, and the most distinctive microscopic hair findings were striking bright and dark bands seen with polarizing microscopy using crossed polarizers. To date, all hair samples showing this banding have had an abnormally low sulfur content. Two-dimensional electrophoresis on the two protein fractions of the abnormal hair confirmed that the abnormality is caused by decreased synthesis of high-sulfur matrix proteins. Disturbances of the transport or utilization of sulfur-containing amino acids in other neuroectodermal tissues may be proposed to account for the various disease features in these persons.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Testosterone metabolism in the skin. A review of its function in androgenetic alopecia, acne vulgaris, and idiopathic hirsutism including recent studies with antiandrogens.

Current concepts of testosterone metabolism in the human skin are reviewed, and the role of dihydrotestosterone in the pathophysiology of androgenetic alopecia, acne vulgaris, and idiopathic hirsutism is discussed. The hypothesis is submitted that a temporary, increased dihydrotestosterone formation at specific skin target sites at different ages causes the normal development of certain sexual characteristics, as well as the androgen-dependent skin disorders. Future treatment of these conditions is discussed in light of recent studies with antiandrogens.

Acne Vulgaris↗