Korean J Dermatol.  2019 May;57(4):175-181.

Metformin, an Activator of AMPK, Promotes the Growth of Hair Follicles via the AMPK/β-catenin Signaling Pathway

• Moon HR
• Park KY
• Kang HJ
• Lee WJ
• Won CH
• Chang SE
• Lee MW
• Choi JH
• Park GH

Abstract

BACKGROUND
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that plays a pivotal role in the balance of cellular energy metabolism. Recent studies have reported that AMPK has numerous roles in physiological conditions, and dysregulation of AMPK induces pathological processes and diseases. However, the role of AMPK and its activators have not yet been studied in the context of hair growth regulation.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of metformin on dermal papilla (DP) and outer root sheath (ORS) cells, as well as the role of the AMPK pathway in hair growth.
METHODS
We evaluated whether metformin, a well-known AMPK activator, had any beneficial effects on hair growth. In addition, to evaluate the molecular and cellular mechanisms that were involved, protein levels of AMPK and β-catenin were analyzed.
RESULTS
Metformin increased the cellular proliferation of human DP and ORS cells. Ki-67 expression was also significantly increased after metformin treatment in the ex vivo hair follicle organ culture. Furthermore, DP and ORS cells treated with metformin had a significant increase in AMPK phosphorylation, which in turn suppressed β-catenin degradation and enhanced its nuclear accumulation.
CONCLUSION
We demonstrated that metformin promoted hair growth via the AMPK/β-catenin signaling pathway in vitro with DP and ORS cells. The hair-promoting effects of AMPK activators may potentially be used for the treatment of alopecia, and further investigation will be needed in the future.

Keyword

AMP-activated protein kinase; Beta catenin; Hair; Metformin

MeSH Terms

Alopecia
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases*
beta Catenin
Cell Proliferation
Energy Metabolism
Hair Follicle*
Hair*
Humans
In Vitro Techniques
Metformin*
Organ Culture Techniques
Pathologic Processes
Phosphorylation
Protein Kinases
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
Metformin
Protein Kinases
beta Catenin