An in vitro model of hair follicle damage induced by Ara-c and reversal effect of FK506

OBJECTIVE To establish an in vitro m od el of hair follicle damage induced by anti-cancer drugs and to evaluate the res erval effect of FK506.METHOD An in vitro organ culture of mouse vibrissa follicle s was used to investigate the effect of Ara-c on hair follicle total growth len gth, growth speed, hair growth period keeping and 3H-TdR incorporation. A fter Ara-c treatment, FK506 was added to culture to observe the properties of h air follicle.RESULTS Ara-c (10mg/L and 25mg/L)inhibited the hair follicle total growth length, growth speed, hair growth period keeping and 3H-TdR incorporation as well as the proliferation of hair follicle bulb cells in vit ro. FK506 improved these properties of hair follicle which were inhibited by A ra-c in vitro.CONCLUSION The model established in this study is useful for ev aluating the effects of anti-cancer drugs on hair follicle, and FK506 is effect ive on remodeling processes of hair follicle after damaged by Ara-c.