Topical glutamine sounds plausible as it is involved in many areas of hair growth from increasing stemness to also providing a precursor to form ATP. I can't tell if wounding is needed or not. Trial and error...
Glutamine is an important metabolite for the transcription and production of IL-1β, as previous studies on energy metabolism have shown (12, 13). Furthermore, glutamine metabolism modulated by mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) is important for repopulating hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) after mobilization at the onset of anagen (14). Similarly, previous studies have shown that glutamine is an important energy source for hair follicles (15). Thus, glutamine metabolism might sit at the nexus of hair follicle regeneration by promoting the production of hair follicle neogenic signals and by directly activating HFSCs. However, there is ambiguity as to whether glutamine has more proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory effects (16–18). Similarly, the precise mechanisms between the microbiome, glutamine, and regeneration after injury are not yet known.
A composition suitable for topical application to mammalian skin and hair for inducing, maintaining or increasing hair growth comprises a hair growth promoter chosen from glutamine derivatives and salts thereof. The composition preferably also comprises an activity enhancer which may be chosen from hair growth stimulants, penetration enhancers and cationic polymers.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions for topical application to mammalian skin or hair, containing a hair growth promoter which is capable of increasing or maintaining hair growth, especially terminal hair growth on the human scalp.
In the course of these experiements, we have found that the hair follicle can use, as a source of energy, several different fuels in addition to glucose. These include glutamine and certain derivatives of glutamine.
Surprisingly, we have found that these alternative fuels do not simply act as a replacement for glucose in terms of energy production. Even in the presence of glucose, we have observed that significant stimulation of linear hair growth rate can be obtained by supplying small amounts of one or more of them.
Having established from in vitro studies using isolated human follicles that glutamine is a potent promoter of linear hair growth, it was subsequently discovered that glutamine tends to be unstable when formulated in an aqueous hair treatment composition such as a shampoo, conditioner or tonic.
It was thus observed that after storage in such compositions at an ambient temperature for 3 months(ME:refrigerate or make small batches), a significant amount of the glutamine had been converted to pyroglutamic acid and ammonia. From these observations, it was realised that the αNH2 group of glutamine should be protected in order to stablise the molecule.
Glutamine is an important metabolite for the transcription and production of IL-1β, as previous studies on energy metabolism have shown (12, 13). Furthermore, glutamine metabolism modulated by mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) is important for repopulating hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) after mobilization at the onset of anagen (14). Similarly, previous studies have shown that glutamine is an important energy source for hair follicles (15). Thus, glutamine metabolism might sit at the nexus of hair follicle regeneration by promoting the production of hair follicle neogenic signals and by directly activating HFSCs. However, there is ambiguity as to whether glutamine has more proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory effects (16–18). Similarly, the precise mechanisms between the microbiome, glutamine, and regeneration after injury are not yet known.
US5559092A - Cosmetic composition - Google Patents
A composition suitable for topical application to mammalian skin and hair for inducing, maintaining or increasing hair growth comprises a hair growth promoter chosen from glutamine derivatives and salts thereof. The composition preferably also comprises an activity enhancer which may be chosen...
patents.google.com
Abstract
A composition suitable for topical application to mammalian skin and hair for inducing, maintaining or increasing hair growth comprises a hair growth promoter chosen from glutamine derivatives and salts thereof. The composition preferably also comprises an activity enhancer which may be chosen from hair growth stimulants, penetration enhancers and cationic polymers.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions for topical application to mammalian skin or hair, containing a hair growth promoter which is capable of increasing or maintaining hair growth, especially terminal hair growth on the human scalp.
In the course of these experiements, we have found that the hair follicle can use, as a source of energy, several different fuels in addition to glucose. These include glutamine and certain derivatives of glutamine.
Surprisingly, we have found that these alternative fuels do not simply act as a replacement for glucose in terms of energy production. Even in the presence of glucose, we have observed that significant stimulation of linear hair growth rate can be obtained by supplying small amounts of one or more of them.
Having established from in vitro studies using isolated human follicles that glutamine is a potent promoter of linear hair growth, it was subsequently discovered that glutamine tends to be unstable when formulated in an aqueous hair treatment composition such as a shampoo, conditioner or tonic.
It was thus observed that after storage in such compositions at an ambient temperature for 3 months(ME:refrigerate or make small batches), a significant amount of the glutamine had been converted to pyroglutamic acid and ammonia. From these observations, it was realised that the αNH2 group of glutamine should be protected in order to stablise the molecule.