The latest scientific evidence shows that a balance between prostaglandins (PGs) controls hair growth and that a dysregulation in the prostaglandin pathway can lead to alopecia. [1] Prostaglandin dysregulation in alopecia is characterized by increased levels of PGD2 (associated with an inflammatory action) and decreased levels of PGE2 and PGF2α (associated with shortening of the anagen phase of the haircycle).
Combining three components that each act on a different prostaglandin optimizes the treatment of alopecia:
- Prostaquinon™ inhibits PGD2 and NF-kB, exerts anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects and counteracts miniaturization of hair follicles [2]
- Latanoprost is a PGF2α analogue that induces and prolongs the anagen phase in which the hair thickens and grows [3, 4]
- Minoxidil increases PGE2 and promotes hair (re)growth and thickening by stimulating the enzyme prostaglandinendoperoxide synthase-1 [5]
[1] Valente Duarte de Sousa IC, Tosti A. New investigational drugs for androgenetic alopecia. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2013 May;22(5):573-89.
[2]Rossi A, Priolo L, Iorio A, et al. Evaluation of a therapeutic alternative for telogen effluvium: a pilot study. J Cosmet Dermatol Sci Appl. 2013 August;3(3A):9-16.
[3]Blume-Peytavi U, Lonnfors S, Hillmann K, et al. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study to assess the efficacy of a 24-week topical treatment by latanoprost 0.1% on hair growth and pigmentation in healthy volunteers with androgenetic alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012 May;66(5):794-800.
[4]Coronel-Perez IM, Rodriguez-Rey EM, Camacho-Martinez FM. Latanoprost in the treatment of eyelash alopecia in alopecia areata universalis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2010 Apr;24(4):481-5.
[5]Garza LA, Liu Y, Yang Z, et al. Prostaglandin D2 inhibits hair growth and is elevated in bald scalp of men with androgenetic alopecia. Sci Transl Med. 2012 Mar 21;4(126):126ra34