Protection from 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine-induced alopecia by epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor in the rat model.

The present study was designed to examine the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) on 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ARA-C)- and cyclophosphamide-induced alopecia in the young rat model. Seven-day-old rats were given ARA-C with or without human or murine EGF daily for 7 days. Alopecia was scored on the 12th day of the experiment. Both human and murine EGF protected rats from ARA-C-induced alopecia. The topical application of murine EFG in dimethyl sulfoxide offered significant protection limited to the treated area. In other experiments the administration of acidic FGF (aFGF) with ARA-C resulted in protection from alopecia limited to the site of FGF injection. Neither EGF nor FGF had any influence on alopecia from cyclophosphamide. It is concluded that both EGF and FGF are effective in protecting against ARA-C-induced alopecia in the rat model.