Safety and efficacy analysis of liposomal insulin-like growth factor-1 in a fluid gel formulation for hair-loss treatment in a hamster model

Clin Exp Dermatol. 2012 Aug 27. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2012.04441.x.
Safety and efficacy analysis of liposomal insulin-like growth factor-1 in a fluid gel formulation for hair-loss treatment in a hamster model.
Castro RF, Azzalis LA, Feder D, Perazzo FF, Pereira EC, Junqueira VB, Rocha KC, Machado CD, Paschoal FC, Gnann LA, Fonseca FL.

Discipline of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine ABC, Santo André, SP, BrazilDepartments of Exact and Earth Sciences Biological Sciences, Campus Diadema, Federal University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 has shown some interesting results in studies examining its use as a hair-loss treatment. IGF-1 works by regulating cellular proliferation and migration during the development of hair follicles. Hepatotoxicity and myelotoxicity were evaluated in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) after topical application of the liquid gel vehicle (placebo), 1% IGF-1 or 3% IGF-1. No significant difference in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase was found between the control and treated groups. ELISA did not shown any increase in the plasma level of IGF-1. A haematopoietic niche was found, but it was not associated with myelotoxicity. Efficacy was determined by dermatoscopy analysis of hair density and microscopy analysis of hair diameter, with hair found to be thicker and with more rapid growth in the 3% group than in either the 1% group or the control group. These results strongly suggest that liposomal IGF-1 in a liquid gel formulation is a safe and efficient treatment for hair loss.

This information about IGF-1 is nothing new, only the idea of its delivery process. However, there are perhaps two easier ways to boost IGF-1 without the hassle if lower IGF-1 happens to be the issue in hair loss. Either (A),Ecklonia Cava or (B) Liposomal Bovine Colostrum for internal use. Either or will help boost levels of IGF-1. Moreover, with less problems than recombinant human IGF-1, since it only contains two isolated fractions.