薬理と治療

Abstract

Purpose　We conducted an open-label, single-arm study on healthy Japanese subjects（aged 20-59 years）who were aware of thinning hair to investigate the effects of the intake of food containing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum N793（N793）on thinning hair. Methods　The subjects consumed heat-sterilized N793-containing food for 24 weeks. Efficacy was assessed via hair evaluation using a digital microscope, the number of hair loss, and the Visual Analogue Scale（VAS）questionnaire. Safety was evaluated using blood and urine tests. Values of each item were compared between before intake and 12 or 24 weeks after intake using Dunnettʼs test. Results　For hair evaluation using a digital microscope, a significant improvement was observed at 24 weeks after intake compared to before intake for the total number of hairs, mean diameter, number of non-vellus hair, non-vellus hair percentage, number of vellus hair, and vellus hair percentage. For the evaluation of the number of hair loss, although the number of hair loss decreased at 12 and 24 weeks after intake compared to before intake, the difference was not significant. The scores of hair loss in the VAS questionnaire significantly improved at 24 weeks after intake compared to before intake. Similarly, the scores of hair thickness, hair volume, and hairline and part significantly improved at 24 weeks after intake compared to before intake. Regarding safety, although significant differences were observed in several items, they fluctuated within the reference values and were considered to be within the range of physiological fluctuations caused by lifestyle habits. Conclusion　These results suggest that the intake of N793 improves thinning hair. Additionally, the intake of food containing N793 was demonstrated to be safe. （Jpn Pharmacol Ther 2022；50：843‒54）