The effect of topical cyclosporin on the immediate shedding of human scalp hair grafted onto nude mice.

Considerable evidence now exists that cyclosporin (CyA) has a stimulatory effect on hair growth. Previously, we demonstrated the systemic effect of CyA on hair growth using an experimental model of human scalp skin graft transplanted onto nude mice and rats. In the present study we used this model to investigate the effect of topical CyA on human hair growth. One group of 15 mice was treated with topical CyA in olive oil, and a second group of 10 mice with olive oil only. The numbers of grafts with hair and the number of hairs per graft in the different groups were compared. A statistically significant delay in hair shedding appeared from day 24 onwards in the CyA treated group. This pilot study supports the possibility that CyA may be effective in the treatment of alopecia.