Novel and Established Potassium Channel Openers Stimulate Hair Growth in Vitro: Modes of Action in Hair Follicles

The study investigated the effects of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel openers, such as minoxidil, diazoxide, and a novel opener NNC 55-0118, on hair growth using deer hair follicles in vitro. The results showed that these openers significantly increased hair growth, with minoxidil and NNC 55-0118 showing strong effects at various concentrations. In contrast, the inhibitor tolbutamide reduced growth and negated the effects of the openers, while glibenclamide had no effect on its own but blocked minoxidil's stimulation. The findings suggested that K(ATP) channel modulators act directly on hair follicles through channels involving SUR 1 and SUR 2 receptors, providing a practical bioassay for studying hair growth mechanisms.