Beta-catenin, the transducer of Wnt signaling, is critical in development, growth, and regeneration of hair. In the absence of Wnt signals, cytoplasmic β-catenin is maintained at low level through regulation by GSK-3, multifunctional serine/threonin kinase. After phosphorylation by GSK-3, β-catenin is ubiquitinated and degraded in cytoplasm. Therefore, inhibition of GSK-3 is able to increase β-catenin in nucleus and would be able to induce growth of hair. Valproic acid (VPA) is an anticonvulsant and mood-stabilizing drug used for decades and is known to inhibit the GSK-3β. However, the effect of VPA on hairs has not been studied yet.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
40
spray 7.2% of sodium valproate on scalp twice a day (morning and evening) for 24 weeks
spray vehicle without sodium valproate on scalp twice a day (morning and evening) for 24 weeks
Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Hospital
Seoul, South Korea
linear hair growth rate
the average growth rate of hair shaft for 3 days
Time frame: 24th week
final hair density
total count of hair in a 1cm-diametered circle
Time frame: 24th week
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