Low Molecular Weight Collagen Peptide (LMWCP) Promotes Hair Growth by Activating the Wnt/GSK-30/0-Catenin Signaling Pathway

Low molecular weight collagen peptide (LMWCP) is a collagen hydrolysate derived from fish. We investigated the effects of LMWCP on hair growth using human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs), human hair follicles (hHFs), patch assay, and telogenic C57BL/6 mice, while also examining the underlying mechanisms of its action. LMWCP promoted proliferation and mitochondrial potential, and the secretion of hair growth -related factors, such as EGF, HB-EGF, FGF-4, and FGF-6 in hDPCs. Patch assay showed that LMWCP increased the neogeneration of new HFs in a dose -dependent manner. This result correlated with an increase in the expression of dermal papilla (DP) signature genes such as, ALPL, SHH, FGF7, and BMP-2. LMWCP upregulated phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-30 (GSK-30) and 0-catenin, and nuclear translocation of 0-catenin, and it increased the expression of Wnt3a, LEF1, VEGF, ALP, and 0-catenin. LMWCP promoted the growth of hHFs and increased the expression of 0-catenin and VEGF. Oral administration of LMWCP to mice significantly stimulated hair growth. The expression of Wnt3a, 0-catenin, PCNA, Cyclin D1, and VEGF was also elevated in the back skin of the mice. Furthermore, LMWCP increased the expression of cytokeratin and Keratin Type I and II. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that LMWCP has the potential to increase hair growth via activating the Wnt/0-catenin signaling pathway.