Minoxidil adjuvant therapies
Compositions and methods are disclosed herein for inducing (up-regulating) the expression of sulfotransferases in the hair follicles, e.g., the scalp. Increasing sulfotransferase is beneficial for metabolizing pro-drugs that require sulfonation to be activated, e.g., minoxidil sulfate is the active metabolite of minoxidil. A method for combining the compositions described herein with topical minoxidil to enhance minoxidil treatment for androgenetic alopecia is described. Additional methods and compositions include the use of retinoid X receptor agonists, retinoic acid receptor agonists, and nuclear receptor agonists in an RXR—NR heterodimer. Additional methods and compositions include the use of a topical solution containing an alkalinizing agent or an alkalinizing agent used with a penetration enhancer for up-regulating the sulfonating capacity of hair bearing skin, hair follicles, and/or keratinocyte cells. In addition, compositions and methods for increasing or decreasing the growth rate of hair follicles is disclosed by altering the intracellular pH.
1. A composition for treating hair loss, improving hair growth, accelerating hair growth, increasing the sulfonating capacity of a hair follicle cell and/or keratinocyte cell, inducing sulfotransferase in a hair follicle, inducing expression of sulfotransferase, increasing sulfotransferase activity, increasing hair thickness and/or diameter, increasing hair growth rate, increasing hair density, accelerating hair growth, treating for alopecia, upregulating sulfotransferase, converting non-responders to minoxidil responders, and/or improving minoxidil response, the composition comprising:
an agent configured to induce expression of sulfotransferase in skin of a person exhibiting the effects of hair loss, wherein the agent includes a salt of minoxidil and
an inorganic sulfur source.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein:
the salt of minoxidil comprises a first ion and a second ion;
the first ion of the salt is an alkalinizing agent configured to raise intracellular pH of cells in an outer root sheath of a hair follicle; and
the second ion of the salt is a counter ion that is minoxidil.
3. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the alkalinizing agent includes any one or combination of: minoxidil bicarbonate, minoxidil citrate, minoxidil carbonate, minoxidil lactate, and minoxidil acetate.
4. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a penetration enhancer.
5. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the alkalinizing agent is encapsulated, the encapsulation configured to any one or combination of:
increase the water solubility of the composition;
decrease the water solubility of the composition;
reduce the loss through degradation of therapeutic agent; and
promote penetration through the stratum corneum.
6. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the alkalinizing agent is placed in a liposome.
7. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is configured to be administered by applying the composition at a predetermined frequency, administering the composition orally, injecting the composition, or providing the composition as an implant.
8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is configured to be administered by applying the composition at a predetermined frequency, wherein the composition further comprises a carrier, wherein the composition is formulated as any one or combination of a shampoo, a foam, ointment, spray, solution, gel, slow release capsule, oral tablet, dry shampoo, hair styling product, or exfoliating agent.
9. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated as a cosmetic product.
10. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is formulated as any one or combination of a time release vehicle, a cream, a solution, a lotion, a serum, an ointment, a spray, an aerosol medium, a capsule, a shampoo, a gel, a foam, a cosmetic, a hair conditioner, a hair care product, a hair mask, a deodorant, an antiperspirant, a moisturizer, or a shaving cream or gel.
11. A kit for treating hair loss, improving hair growth, accelerating hair growth, increasing the sulfonating capacity of a hair follicle cell and/or keratinocyte cell, inducing sulfotransferase in a hair follicle, inducing expression of sulfotransferase, increasing hair thickness and/or diameter, increasing hair growth rate, increasing hair density, accelerating hair growth, treating for alopecia, upregulating sulfotransferase, converting non-responders to minoxidil responders, and/or improving minoxidil response, the kit comprising the composition of claim 1 and a dispenser, implant, or pill.
12. The kit of claim 11 , wherein the composition is formulated as any one or combination of a time release vehicle, a cream, a solution, a lotion, a serum, an ointment, a spray, an aerosol medium, a capsule, a shampoo, a gel, a foam, a cosmetic, a hair conditioner, a hair care product, a hair mask, a deodorant, an antiperspirant, a moisturizer, or a shaving cream or gel.
13. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising minoxidil.
14. The kit of claim 11 , wherein the composition further includes minoxidil.
15. The compositions of claim 1 , wherein treating for alopecia includes treating for alopecia areata, treating for chemotherapy induced alopecia, treating female and/or male pattern hair loss, and/or treating androgenetic alopecia.
16. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the inorganic sulfur source is chosen from the group consisting of cysteine, L-cysteine, hydrogen sulfide, elemental sulfur, sulfite, thiosulfate, polythionates, magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate, and sodium metabisulfite.
17. The composition of claim 6 , wherein the liposome contains lecithin.