As noted above, the derivatives of the present invention are useful in stimulating the growth of hair in warm-blooded animals. While one of the characteristics associated with male pattern baldness is the severe diminution of hair follicles, use of the derivatives as described herein results in increased adipocyte formation, which is spatially and temporally linked with hair follicle formation, and is an integral phase of hair follicle formation (Hausman et al., Am. J. Anat. 161: 85-100, 1981). The results of the use of the derivatives as described herein are illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, which are microphotographs of a control area and an area of enhanced hair growth, respectively. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3B, the hair follicles 12 (dark objects) are embedded in a heavy field of large, subcutaneous fat cells 14 (white rounded cells) surrounded by blood capillaries 16.
The enhancement of subcutaneous fat in areas associated with increased hair growth is highly significant. Male pattern baldness is intimately associated with a dramatic reduction in the amount of subcutaneous fat associated with hair follicles that are nonproductive. Conversely, during periods of rapid hair growth in mammals, the subcutaneous fat content increase two- to threefold.
The derivatives of the present invention have clinical use in at least two primary areas: (1) the direct stimulation of hair growth in persons with hair loss, (2) the stimulation of hair transplants, and (3) increasing the subcutaneous fat content.