Quantitative assessment of 2% topical minoxidil in the treatment of male pattern baldness

Forty-seven men with male pattern baldness were treated in a double-blind clinical trial with topical 2% minoxidil or placebo. Twelve were randomly selected for quantitative hair measurement using the unit area trichogram and visual counting. There was no significant difference after 6 or 12 months of treatment with a 2% minoxidil solution for total hair density (THD; hair cm-2), meaningful hair density (MHD; hair greater than 40 microns in diameter greater than 30 mm in length cm-2), per cent of hair in the anagen growth phase, or the per cent of meaningful hair in the anagen growth phase. Significantly fewer hairs were recorded with the visual hair counting method, compared to values obtained from adjacent sites with the unit area trichogram. In addition, a significantly larger mean total hair count was recorded by an experienced observer, compared to an inexperienced observer. Increased pigmentation was observed within the vellus hair population of treated subjects. Our findings indicate that minoxidil appears unlikely to affect the long-term course of male pattern baldness. However, we found no significant deterioration in total hair density, or meaningful hair density in treated subjects, suggesting minoxidil may have a prophylactic effect. Further long-term studies employing the unit area trichogram are required to evaluate this finding.     

Fine Structural Alterations Induced in Platelets by Adenosine Diphosphate

Blood platelets exposed to the nucleotide adenosine diphosphate (ADP)lose their discoid appearance and adhere to one another. The basis for theADP induced shape change has remained obscure. In the present study thestructural transformations of platelets under the influence of ADP have beenexamined in the electron microscope. Loss of lentiform appearance is closelyrelated to a marked reorganization of the platelet hyaloplasm. The marginalbundle of microtubules decreases in circumference and is moved into theinterior of the platelet. Granules and other organelles are transported to thecell center where they are enveloped within a web of microtubules and microfilaments. These changes are completely reversed after the influence of ADPdisappears. The movement of the circumferential bundle of microtubulesfrom its position under the cell wall appears to be the principle cause forthe loss of discoid shape. Constriction of hyaloplasmic elements followed bycomplete recovery of unaltered appearance are indicative of a reversible waveof contraction occurring in the platelet hyaloplasm. Thus the change in plateletsurface contour after exposure to ADP is not due to a direct modification ofthe cell wall by ADP, but to a contractile wave which ADP indirectly triggers in the substance of the cells.

Submitted on March 28, 1967 Accepted on November 1, 1967     

Human monoclonal antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum: production, stabilization and characterization

Nine human monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) recognizing 7 different antigenic structures of blood-stages of the human malarial parasite P. falciparum (Pf) were produced by Epstein-Barr virus transformed B-cell lines (EBV-TCL) with or without fusion to the lymphoblastoid cell line KR4. The peripheral blood B-lymphocytes were obtained from 8 Gambian donors immune to Pf malaria. Two of the EBV-TCL could be expanded and maintained for more than 6 months but neither one could be cloned. Six additional EBV-TCL were stabilized after fusion with the KR4 lymphoblastoid cell line. All resulting hybridomas permitted easy cloning. Some of the MoAbs produced distinct fluorescent staining patterns of asexual Pf blood-stage parasites when using high-resolution digitized video-intensified fluorescence microscopy. Antigens on 195 kD and 155 kD proteins were recognized by 3 and 1 MoAb, respectively, using Western blotting and immunoprecipitation techniques.     

The Effect of Etiocholanolone on Granulocyte Kinetics

The effect of etiocholanolone on granulocyte kinetics in 12 hematologicallynormal patients has been investigated using the technic of ³H-DFP labelingof autologous blood in vitro.

Baseline determinations of the total blood granulocyte pool (TBGP), thecirculating pool (CGP), and the marginated pool (MGP) were performed.The values for the total blood granulocyte pools were similar to those previously reported. Following the administration of etiocholanolone, there was a98 per cent increase in the TBGP, which was considered to be due to mobilization of granulocytes from the bone marrow reserve. There was no change inthe ratio of CGP to MGP.

These studies suggest that etiocholanolone may be a useful agent for theestimation of bone marrow reserve.

Submitted on November 21, 1966 Accepted on April 13, 1967     

SULPHASALAZINE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS

There are few ‘second-line’ drugs available forthe treatment of PSA and their use is often limited by toxicity.Thirty-nine patients with active PSA recruited from two rheumatologyunits were randomly allocated to either enteric-coated sulphasalazine(SASP) or placebo and followed for 24 wk. Six patients in theSASP group and 11 on placebo discontinued therapy before 24wk. Evaluation of effect of treatment revealed significant improvementsin articular index in both groups at 12 wk. By 24 wk the articularindex in placebo group was still showing benefit. In additionto articular index the SASP group improved significantly interms of visual analogue scale, duration of morning stiffnessand ESR. SASP is effective in PSA but the partial clinical response toplacebo indicates the importance of placebo-controlled studiesin this variable disease. KEY WORDS: Skin, Arthritis, Treatment