l-Carnitine is essential for the intramitochondrial transport of long-chain fatty acids
for β-oxidation [
1
,
2
,
3
]. Recently, we have shown that l-carnitine-l-tartrate (CT) is able to increase hair shaft elongation and prolong anagen by upregulation
of proliferation and downregulation of apoptosis in organ-cultured human scalp hair
follicles [
[4]
]. In order to test whether CT is also able to stimulate hair growth in human scalp
hair follicles (HF) in vivo, we have performed a small, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled observational
study of topical CT administration over 6 months twice a day. Penetration of CT into
the skin, employing a liposomal hair tonic (Henkel, Düsseldorf, Germany) versus a
conventional hair tonic was investigated, using the BUS (bovine udder model).Abbreviations:
HFs (hair follicles), CT (carnitine tartrate), BUS (bovine udder skin)Keywords
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References
- l-Carnitine is a modulator of the glucocorticoid receptor alpha.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004; 1024: 147-152
- Kinetics: pharmacokinetics, and regulation of l-carnitine and acetyl-l-carnitine metabolism.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004; 1033: 30-41
- Structure and function of carnitine acyltransferases.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2004; 1033: 17-29
Foitzik K, Hoting E, Pertile P, Förster K, Paus R. L-Carnitine-tartrate promotes human hair growth in vitro. J Invest Dermatol 2006;126:s27 (P146).
- Reconstructed human epidermis for skin absorption testing: results of the German prevalidation study.Altern Lab Anim. 2006; 34: 283-294
- TrichoScan: combining epiluminescence microscopy with digital image analysis for the measurement of hair growth in vivo.Eur J Dermatol. 2001; 11: 362-368
- Trichoscan, ein neues Werkzeug für die digitale Haarzählung.Hautarzt. 2002; 53: 798-804
- Surface evaluation of living skin.Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999; 455: 507-516
Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 12, 2010
Received:
January 23,
2007
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Published by Elsevier Inc.
