Abstract. Analysis of whole-body autoradiograms from mice injected with S³⁵-L-cystine revealed a very rapid tracer elimination from the blood compartment and selective uptake in tissues of ectodermal origin. The pilary system was outstanding, in terms of label uptake, at each time interval studied. The findings are discussed with special interest focused on present knowledge of S³⁵ -cystine incorporation in hair fibres.

Zusammenfassung: Während die Angaben der Patienten subjektiv sind und auch die Beurteilung von Änderungen im klinischen Bild nicht zuverlässig ist, stellt das Trichogramm eine relativ gute Methode dar, langfristige Änderungen des Haarwachstums objektiv zu beurteilen. Positiv zu bewerten ist insbesondere eine Abnahme der Telogenrate und sicher auch eine Zunahme der Anagenhaare. Nach mindestens 6monatiger Behandlung mit der getesteten Wirkstoffkombination Priorin kam es bei fast drei Viertel der Probanden zu einer zum Teil erheblichen Besserung, so daß der Einsatz dieses Präparates als unterstützende Maßnahme im Rahmen des gesamten therapeutischen Vorgehens bei Patienten mit einem nicht narbigen. Effluvium empfohlen werden kann.

The Autoradiographic Quantification of Dose-Dependent Application of ³⁵S-Cystine or ³⁵S-Methionine Resp. and of the Influence of Application of Unlabelled Thioaminoacids on the ³H-Thymidine Labelling Index of the Cells of Stratum Germinativum of Nails and Hair Follicles in Mice
Dose-dependent incorporation of ³⁵S-labeled thioaminoacids (³⁵S-cystinc, ³⁵S-methionine) is morphologically proven through cross-sections of hair follicles using quantitative microscope photometry. In the matrix and in hyponychium of nails of 10 days old well-defined NMRI-mice, a dose-dependent incorporation of the ³⁵S-labeled thioaminoacids can be demonstrated but not quantified for anatomical reasons. The influence of intraperitoneally applicated unlabeled L-cystine and L-methionine resp. on epithelial cell proliferation of stratum germinativum of nails and hair is investigated by quantitative ³H-thymidine-autoradiography. In preliminary studies, a positive stimulation of nail and hair growth by thioaminoacid application can be shown.

Summary: Pantothenic acid plays a fundamental role in cellular physiology as a constituent of coenzyme A and as such it intervenes in the metabolism of lipids; in addition to that, in the form of active acetate, it is the precursor of cholesterol and of steroid hormones.
An adequate vitamin intake is essential for tissue trophism, especially for the epithelial tissue, and for the functioning of organs and systems. The manifestations peculiar to the deficiency particularly involve the adrenal glands and the gonads, with particularly serious hypofunction pictures: lesions of the skin and of the mucosae are also observed with alterations of the cutaneous adnexes and in particular of the hair. Moreover, through its intervention in the synthesis reaction of acetylcholine, the vitamin is capable of stimulating the depressed intestinal peristalsis and is therefore extensively used for the resolution of postoperative paralytic ileus.
Researches carried out in our laboratories in recent years have revealed that in rats, after administration of high amounts of pantothenic acid, there occurs an increase in hepatic and seric cholesterol; urinary 17-ketosteroid elimination is increased as well as the total amount of corticosteroids in adrenal cortex.
In the course of recent experiments performed on humans, we could observe that, following administration of high doses of oral panthenol, a considerable increase is recorded in the urinary elimination of 17,21 dihydroxy-20 ketosteroids, an unmistakable sign of a functional activation of the adrenal gland.
On the basis of our researches, we deem it advisable to suggest the therapeutic use of this vitamin in the corticosuprarenal hypofunction forms, in the reactivation of intestinal mobility, and in all those conditions in which the structure of the skin, of the cutaneous adnexes and of the mucosae is altered.

Summary: We carried out a 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of an oral combination product of millet seed extract, L-cystine and calcium pantothenate in women with androgenetic alopecia The study endpoint was defined as change of anagen hair rate, as determined by phototrichogram, from abnormal (<80%) at baseline to normal (> 85 %) at the follow-up (after 3 months) and final visits (after 6 months). The active group, but not the placebo group, reached the study endpoint, thus establishing study product efficacy in female androgenetic alopecia.

To investigate the effect of cell growth-stimulating agents on human epidermal keratinocytes, we exposed monolayers of normal human keratinocytes derived from foreskin to different concentrations of the amino acid L-cystine, the member of the vitamin B family D-pantothenat, the phytosterol miliacin, and a combination thereof in keratinocyte growth medium. As a test system for the metabolic capacity, we used the activity of mitochondrial deyhdrogenases as measured by XTT, and for the cell proliferation, we determined the BrdU-uptake. The additives, active ingredients of the hair growth drug PRIORIN^®, were added in the presence of fully supplemented keratinocyte growth medium or a deficient medium without L-cystine, L-methionine, L-histidin, D-pantothenat, epidermal growth factor, and bovine pituary gland extract. Deficient medium itself reduced the metabolic capacity of keratinocytes to 35% compared with keratinocytes in fully supplemented growth medium.

In deficient medium cell, proliferation was not measurable. Increasing doses of L-cystine restored the reduced metabolic capacity from 46% (0.009 mg/L) to 54% (0.09 mg/L) and 92% (0.45 mg/L) in deficient medium. Addition of D-pantothenat (0.43 mg/L) enhanced the metabolic capacity to 150% only in fully supplemented growth medium, compared with untreated controls with growth medium. Miliacin (6 mg/mL) increased not only the metabolic capacity (162%) but also stimulated cell proliferation (215%) as measured by BrdU-uptake in growth medium. The combination of all three additives increased the metabolic capacity (245%) synergistically in growth medium. We were able to show effects of D-panthenol, L-lysine, and miliacin on proliferation and metabolic capacity of keratinocyte monocell culture, which was further increased by combination of the three substances. These basic results suggest a beneficial effect on keratinocyte growth and stimulation by products combining these substances (e.g., Priorin^®). Furthermore, this work emphasizes the suitability of keratinocyte monolayers for pharmacological testings.