DNA Microarray and Bioinformatic Analysis Reveals the Potential of Whale Oil in Enhancing Hair Growth in a C57BL/6 Mice Dorsal Skin Model.

Much research has been conducted to determine how hair regeneration is regulated, as this could provide therapeutic, cosmetic, and even psychological interventions for hair loss. The current study focused on the hair growth effect and effective utilization of fatty oil obtained from Bryde's whales through a high-throughput DNA microarray approach in conjunction with immunohistochemical observations. The research also examined the mechanisms and factors involved in hair growth. In an experiment using female C57BL/6J mice, the vehicle control group (VC: propylene glycol: ethanol: water), the positive control group (MXD: 3% minoxidil), and the experimental group (WO: 20% whale oil) were topically applied to the dorsal skin of the mouse. The results showed that 3% MXD and 20% WO were more effective than VC in promoting hair growth, especially 20% WO. Furthermore, in hematoxylin and eosin-stained dorsal skin tissue, an increase in the number of hair follicles and subcutaneous tissue thickness was observed with 20% WO. Whole-genome transcriptome analysis also confirmed increases for 20% WO in filaggrin (Flg), a gene related to skin barrier function; fibroblast growth factor 21 (Fgf21), which is involved in hair follicle development; and cysteine-rich secretory protein 1 (Crisp1), a candidate gene for alopecia areata. Furthermore, the results of KEGG pathway analysis indicated that 20% WO may have lower stress and inflammatory responses than 3% MXD. Therefore, WO is expected to be a safe hair growth agent.

Effect of Intracerebroventricular Administration of Galanin-Like Peptide on Hepatokines in C57BL/6 J Mice.

Galanin-like peptide (GALP) is a neuropeptide that was first isolated and identified from the porcine hypothalamus. Studies have described an anti-obesity effect of GALP. We previously found that intracerebroventricular administration of GALP in mice resulted in an increase in respiratory exchange rate 12 to 16 h later. GALP may also affect glucose metabolism, but the detailed mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of GALP on glucose and lipid metabolism in the liver. Nine-week-old male C57BL / 6 J mice were administered a single intracerebroventricular dose of saline or GALP and dissected 16 h later. There were no significant between-group differences in body weight and blood glucose levels. With regard to gene and protein expression, G6Pase associated with hepatic gluconeogenesis was significantly reduced in the GALP group. In addition, the hepatokines selenoprotein P and fetuin-A, which induce insulin resistance in the liver, were significantly decreased in the GALP group. These results suggest that intracerebroventricular administration of GALP decreases the expression of key hepatokines, thereby enhancing glucose metabolism.