The topical penta-peptide Gly-Pro-Ile-Gly-Ser increases the proportion of thick hair in Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia

• Published in: Journal of cosmetic dermatology Vol. 15; no. 2; pp. 176 - 184
• Main Authors: Iwabuchi, Tokuro, Takeda, Shunsuke, Yamanishi, Haruyo, Ideta, Ritsuro, Ehama, Ritsuko, Tsuruda, Akinori, Shibata, Hideaki, Ito, Tomoko, Komatsu, Nobuyuki, Terai, Keiko, Oka, Syuichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.06.2016
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Adult; Alopecia - diagnosis; Alopecia - drug therapy; androgenetic alopecia; Cell Proliferation - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Dipeptides - administration & dosage; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Follow-Up Studies; Hair - growth & development; Hair Follicle - drug effects; Hair Follicle - growth & development; hair growth; hair keratinocyte; Humans; Japan; Keratinocytes - drug effects; Keratinocytes - physiology; Male; Middle Aged; Oligopeptides - administration & dosage; Oligosaccharides - therapeutic use; penta-peptide; Reference Values; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; hair keratinocyte; hair growth; penta-peptide; androgenetic alopecia
• ISSN: 1473-2130; 1473-2165
• DOI: 10.1111/jocd.12216

Summary Background A penta‐peptide, Gly‐Pro‐Ile‐Gly‐Ser (GPIGS), promotes proliferation of mouse hair keratinocytes and accelerates hair growth in mice. Aim of this study This study focused on the ability of the peptide to promote human hair growth. Methods We used a human hair keratinocyte proliferation assay and organ cultures of human hair follicle as in vitro systems. The lotions with and without the penta‐peptide were administered to 22 Japanese men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) for 4 months in a double‐blind and randomized clinical study. Results The penta‐peptide significantly stimulated the proliferation of human hair keratinocytes at a concentration of 2.3 μm (P < 0.01), and 5.0 μm of this peptide had a marked effect on hair shaft elongation in the organ culture (P < 0.05). The change in the proportion of thick hair (≥60 μm) compared to baseline in patients that received the peptide was significantly higher than in the placebo (P = 0.006). The change in the proportion of vellus hair (<40 μm) was also significantly lower in the peptide group than in the placebo (P = 0.029). The penta‐peptide also significantly improved the appearance of baldness (P = 0.020) when blinded reviewers graded photographs of the participants according to a standardized baldness scale. No adverse dermatological effects due to treatment were noted during this clinical study. Conclusions This penta‐peptide promotes proliferation of human hair keratinocytes and hair shaft elongation of human hair follicles, in vitro. This peptide increases thick hair ratio in vivo, and this compound is useful for the improvement of AGA.