Immunohistochemical Effect of Vitamin E and Valproic Acid on the Development of Epidermis and Hair Follicles

This study investigated the effects of valproic acid (VPA) and vitamin E (VE) on the expression of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) in the epidermis and hair follicles of mouse fetuses. VPA, an antiepileptic drug, is known to cause hair loss and alopecia, particularly at higher doses and in chronic treatments. The study involved four groups of pregnant BALB/c mice: a control group, a VPA group, a VPA+VE group, and a VE group. Results showed that VPA reduced Shh expression in the epidermis and developing hair follicles, as indicated by lower optical density and immunoreactive area compared to the control, VPA+VE, and VE groups. Vitamin E was found to counteract the negative effects of VPA, as the VPA+VE group showed similar Shh expression levels to the control and VE groups, suggesting that VE can modulate VPA-induced alterations in Shh expression.