Cystine-thiamin-containing hair-growth formulation modulates the response to UV radiation in an in vitro model for growth-limiting conditions of human keratinocytes

Foodomics uncovers functional and volatile metabolite dynamics in red raspberry chewable tablet optimized processing

Raspberries are known to contain valuable metabolites and possess a robust antioxidant capacity. However, the impact of different tablet processing stages on the nutritional content and flavor profile of raspberries remains unclear. The dynamic profile of functional and volatile metabolites was investigated through foodomics combined with UPLC-MS/MS-based widely targeted metabolomics and HS-SPME-GC-MS, and antioxidant capacities were assessed during tablet processing. 1336 functional metabolites and 645 volatile metabolites were identified. Results indicated tablets retained 34% ∼ 61% of the total volatile contents. In addition, the conversion intensity of functional metabolites was consistent with the order of "Tableting > Freeze-drying > Crushing". Compared to raspberry, tablets showed higher antioxidant activity, which was positively correlated with vitamin contents. This study elucidated that tablet formation demonstrated advantages in antioxidation and aroma retention, which may provide insights for enhancing quality during the tableting process.

Intermediate Hair Follicles from Patients with Female Pattern Hair Loss Are Associated with Nutrient Insufficiency and a Quiescent Metabolic Phenotype

Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is a non-scarring alopecia resulting from the progressive conversion of the terminal (t) scalp hair follicles (HFs) into intermediate/miniaturized (i/m) HFs. Although data supporting nutrient deficiency in FPHL HFs are lacking, therapeutic strategies are often associated with nutritional supplementation. Here, we show by metabolic analysis that selected nutrients important for hair growth such as essential amino acids and vitamins are indeed decreased in affected iHFs compared to tHFs in FPHL scalp skin, confirming nutrient insufficiency. iHFs also displayed a more quiescent metabolic phenotype, as indicated by altered metabolite abundance in freshly collected HFs and release/consumption during organ culture of products/substrates of TCA cycle, aerobic glycolysis, and glutaminolysis. Yet, as assessed by exogenous nutrient supplementation ex vivo, nutrient uptake mechanisms are not impaired in affected FPHL iHFs. Moreover, blood vessel density is not diminished in iHFs versus tHFs, despite differences in tHFs from different FPHL scalp locations or versus healthy scalp or changes in the expression of angiogenesis-associated growth factors. Thus, our data reveal that affected iHFs in FPHL display a relative nutrient insufficiency and dormant metabolism, but are still capable of absorbing nutrients, supporting the potential of nutritional supplementation as an adjunct therapy for FPHL.

L-Cystine-Containing Hair-Growth Formulation Supports Protection, Viability, and Proliferation of Keratinocytes

Purpose

Clinical studies have confirmed that the hair-growth-promoting effect of approved oral drug combinations is beneficial for the treatment of diffuse telogen effluvium, which is characterized by the excessive loss of telogen club hairs. Since data elucidating the mode of action of such combinations are limited, our study focused on the identification of cellular processes potentially supporting the treatment of hair loss.

Materials and Methods

A minimal growth culture system (MGM) was used to mimic in vitro the reduced activity of human hair follicular keratinocytes (HHFKs). The effect of four core compounds (L-cystine, thiamine, calcium D-pantothenate, and folic acid) of a marketed oral combination (Panto[vi]gar^®), which are approved for the treatment of diffuse hair loss, was examined by comparing HHFKs cultured either with or without the compounds. After determining their impact on metabolic activity and proliferation, we conducted a comparative whole-genome gene expression study with subsequent functional grouping of differentially expressed genes to identify cellular processes influenced by the tested compounds.

Results

The four core compounds of an oral hair-growth formulation enhanced proliferation and metabolic activity of HHFKs compared to HHFKs cultivated in MGM only. Functional grouping of differentially expressed genes confirmed the regulation of cell cycle-/proliferation-associated genes (cdk1, HJURP) and revealed regulation of cell death- and oxidative stress-associated gene groups. A supportive effect of the compounds on cell viability was demonstrated by lower sensitivity to solar-simulated UV-radiation and increased protection against oxidative stress. We established a central role for L-cystine, as changes in the expression of the anti-oxidative gene hmox1 were L-cystine-dependent. However, to reach a maximal stimulating effect on proliferation, the combination of all four compounds was necessary.

Conclusion

The tested compound combination had positive effects on metabolic activity, cell viability, and proliferation of keratinocytes. Furthermore, this study suggested that L-cystine primarily contributes to the observed protection against endogenous oxidative stress.