Calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)-containing nerve fibers are widely distributed in the skin including the area around hair follicles.

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of CGRP on normal hair growth in vitro.

CGRP was added to isolated anagen hair follicles in Williams' E media or keratinocyte growth media(KGM). Measuring the length of hair follicles and thymidine uptake were used for hair growth parameters.

CGRP-treated groups generally showed no significant difference of hair follicle length and thymidine uptake in both media compared to the controls. However, hair follicle length was significantly increased at a high concentration of CGRP in KGM compared to the controls.

Our study suggested that CGRP may be a promoter of hair follicle growth in vitro.