Hair regrowth following a Wnt- and follistatin containing treatment: safety and efficacy in a first-in-man phase 1 clinical trial.

Research has shown the importance of follistatin, Wnt 7a, and wound healing growth factors on the stimulation of bulge cells and inter-follicular stem cells to induce hair growth. We have studied the effects of a bioengineered, non-recombinant, human cell-derived formulation, termed Hair Stimulating Complex (HSC), containing these factors to assess its hair growth activity in male pattern baldness. HSC showed in vitro Wnt activity and contained follistatin, KGF, and VEGF.

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in spinal cord contusion injury and the effects of chondroitinase treatment.

Chondroitinase treatment of experimental spinal cord injury improves recovery of sensory, motor, and autonomic functions. Chondroitinase catalyzes the cleavage of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) from the core proteins of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). Little is known about changes in production of these proteoglycans in the clinically relevant contusion model of spinal cord injury or if CSPG content is altered by chondroitinase treatment.

Chondroitinase ABCI improves locomotion and bladder function following contusion injury of the rat spinal cord.

Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans are synthesized and deposited in the spinal cord following injury. These proteoglycans may restrict regeneration and plasticity and contribute to the limited recovery seen after an injury. Chondroitinase, a bacterial enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the chondroitin chains on proteoglycans, has been shown to improve motor and sensory function following partial transection lesions of the spinal cord.