Adenosine stimulates growth of dermal papilla and lengthens the anagen phase by increasing the cysteine level via fibroblast growth factors 2 and 7 in an organ culture of mouse vibrissae hair follicles

Laboratory of Veterinary Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea.

Hair regression and balding are distressing concerns for an increasing number of people due to changes in lifestyle and serious nutritional imbalances. Therapies for treatment of hair loss are needed. Among potential therapeutics, adenosine has been suggested as a potent regulator of hair growth. In this study, we investigated the effects of adenosine on hair follicles and dermal papilla (DP) cells, and the mechanism underlying the action of adenosine. Hair follicles are organs, including DP cells, that are responsible for the production of hair fibers by inducing and maintaining the hair growth phase (anagen). In a culture of DP cells in vitro, adenosine stimulated proliferation of DP cells by increasing thymidine uptake. Subsequently, adenosine activated and elongated the anagen phase by increasing the uptake of radiolabeled cysteine in an organ culture of mouse vibrissae hair follicles. We also confirmed that adenosine promoted the expression of several growth factors that are responsible for hair growth, including fibroblast growth factors (FGF)-7, FGF-2, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in a cDNA microarray with semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Transcriptional activation of β-catenin in DP cells was increased by adenosine in a luciferase assay. β-catenin is a co-activator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling that induces morphogenesis and differentiation of hair follicles and also acts to transactivate downstream signaling pathways, including the ERK pathway. Using Western blotting, we found that adenosine stimulated phosphorylation of ERK, CREB and AKT. These results suggest that adenosine stimulates growth of hair follicles by triggering the expression of growth factors and β-catenin, and by inducing their downstream target signaling pathways.

nice find

Adenosine is a purine nucleoside comprising a molecule of adenine attached to a ribose sugar molecule (ribofuranose) moiety via a β-N9-glycosidic bond.

So, Adenine is a purine

Sources

Purines are found in high concentration in meat and meat products, especially internal organs such as liver and kidney. Plant based diets are generally low in purines.[4] Examples of high-purine sources include: sweetbreads, anchovies, sardines, liver, beef kidneys, brains, meat extracts (e.g., Oxo, Bovril), herring, mackerel, scallops, game meats, beer (from the yeast) and gravy.

A moderate amount of purine is also contained in beef, pork, poultry, other fish and seafood, asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, mushrooms, green peas, lentils, dried peas, beans, oatmeal, wheat bran, wheat germ, and hawthorn.[5]

Higher levels of meat and seafood consumption are associated with an increased risk of gout, whereas a higher level of consumption of dairy products is associated with a decreased risk. Moderate intake of purine-rich vegetables or protein is not associated with an increased risk of gout.[6]

In August 2011, a report, based on NASA studies with meteorites found on Earth, was published suggesting purine and related organic molecules (including the DNA and RNA components, adenine and guanine) may have been formed extraterrestrially in outer space.[7][8]

Adenosine mediates the effects of minoxidil on the dermal papilla cells of hair follicles.

The mechanism by which minoxidil, an adenosine-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener, induces hypertrichosis remains to be elucidated. Minoxidil has been reported to stimulate the production of vascular endothelial growth factor, a possible promoter of hair growth, in cultured dermal papilla cells. The mechanism of production of vascular endothelial growth factor remains unclear, however. We hypothesize that adenosine serves as a mediator of vascular endothelial growth factor production. Minoxidil-induced increases in levels of intracellular Ca2+ and vascular endothelial growth factor production in cultured dermal papilla cells were found to be inhibited by 8-sulfophenyl theophylline, a specific antagonist for adenosine receptors, suggesting that dermal papilla cells possess adenosine receptors and sulfonylurea receptors, the latter of which is a well-known target receptor for adenosine-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel openers. The expression of sulfonylurea receptor 2B and of the adenosine A1, A2A, and A2B receptors was detected in dermal papilla cells by means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. In order to determine which of the adenosine receptor subtypes contribute to minoxidil-induced hair growth, the effects of subtype-specific antagonists for adenosine receptors were investigated. Significant inhibition in increase in intracellular calcium level by minoxidil or adenosine was observed as the result of pretreatment with 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, an antagonist for adenosine A1 receptor, but not by 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargyl-xanthine, an antagonist for adenosine A2 receptor, whereas vascular endothelial growth factor production was blocked by both adenosine A1 and A2 receptor antagonists. These results indicate that the effect of minoxidil is mediated by adenosine, which triggers intracellular signal transduction via both adenosine A1 and A2 receptors, and that the expression of sulfonylurea receptor 2B in dermal papilla cells might play a role in the production of adenosine.

So, how would one apply this, practically?

There are a few products on the market containing adenosine.
CS, do you suggest we should start using products with this ingredient?

Also, topical or internal?

here is a topical i mentioned before - http://www.iherb.com/LG-Sciences-NO-Infuse-Nitric-Oxide-Topical-8-fl-oz-240-ml/26162?at=0

never tried it though..

I want to try that topical, but I am worried about all of the alcohol within the product.

No-one tried this?

There is a product form Shiseido (Japan) called Adenogen; it has been around for quite some time now (2006), and Shiseido claims to have sold about a million pieces of this product, so quite a few people should have tested it by now. But apparently it has not made big news so far.

imprisoned-radical wrote:Adenosine mediates the effects of minoxidil on the dermal papilla cells of hair follicles.

The mechanism by which minoxidil, an adenosine-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener, induces hypertrichosis remains to be elucidated. Minoxidil has been reported to stimulate the production of vascular endothelial growth factor, a possible promoter of hair growth, in cultured dermal papilla cells. The mechanism of production of vascular endothelial growth factor remains unclear, however. We hypothesize that adenosine serves as a mediator of vascular endothelial growth factor production. Minoxidil-induced increases in levels of intracellular Ca2+ and vascular endothelial growth factor production in cultured dermal papilla cells were found to be inhibited by 8-sulfophenyl theophylline, a specific antagonist for adenosine receptors, suggesting that dermal papilla cells possess adenosine receptors and sulfonylurea receptors, the latter of which is a well-known target receptor for adenosine-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel openers. The expression of sulfonylurea receptor 2B and of the adenosine A1, A2A, and A2B receptors was detected in dermal papilla cells by means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. In order to determine which of the adenosine receptor subtypes contribute to minoxidil-induced hair growth, the effects of subtype-specific antagonists for adenosine receptors were investigated. Significant inhibition in increase in intracellular calcium level by minoxidil or adenosine was observed as the result of pretreatment with 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, an antagonist for adenosine A1 receptor, but not by 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargyl-xanthine, an antagonist for adenosine A2 receptor, whereas vascular endothelial growth factor production was blocked by both adenosine A1 and A2 receptor antagonists. These results indicate that the effect of minoxidil is mediated by adenosine, which triggers intracellular signal transduction via both adenosine A1 and A2 receptors, and that the expression of sulfonylurea receptor 2B in dermal papilla cells might play a role in the production of adenosine.

I am trying to better understand this; minoxidil works thru activating the adenosine receptors or does it (minox) work against it?

I wonder what the difference if any, there is between andenosine and Skinactives KGF (FGF7)

i guess adenosine products are waste of money? (pricey also)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHISEIDO-ADENOGEN-Hair-Tonic-300ml-JAPAN-/300613449926?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45fdf538c6