Using a brush or comb, in the shower, passing your hand through your hair In a 2015 IFOP survey, three out of four French people (76%) without baldness declared that they lost their hair. In addition, after 65 years, three in ten men suffer from androgenetic alopecia (or baldness). In general, therefore, we often see a loss of density with age, both in men and in women. However, science has long looked into the phenomenon of age-related hair loss, both to understand its origin and to treat it. Focusing on stem cells seems to offer the best hope for a cure, based on numerous studies.

The hair transplant procedure is indeed a sometimes expensive and invasive procedure. As for drugs, finasteride used for androgenetic alopecia in men can induce side effects such as loss of libido and erectile dysfunction while minoxidil can cause hypertrichosis. Today, researchers therefore seem to be looking more at alternative solutions, and in particular by focusing on stem cells.

Stem cells, directly linked to hair lossFor decades, researchers have always focused on keratinocytes, cells that make up the epidermis and integuments (body hair, hair, etc.). However, as part of a study conducted by the University of Calgary (Canada), the team of researchers focused on a small cell group present in hair follicles and in skin stem cells. : fibroblasts. And according to them, these fibroblasts are the main cause of age-related hair loss.

By studying the sparse coat of elderly mice, they noticed that fibroblast stem cells had lost their regenerative function or were malfunctioning. There werent enough of them to regenerate fibroblasts. As a result, the fibroblasts and hair follicles began to miniaturize and were no longer able to produce hair, explains Biernaskie, head of the research team.

Remember that fibroblasts are important because they send messages to keratinocytes to force them to divide, and in so doing, orchestrate the growth cycles of hair follicles allowing the production of new hairs. When the fibroblasts become scarce, the signal then becomes too weak to reach the keratinocytes and maintain the process of capillary growth. For Jeff Biernaskie: if we want to one day succeed in preventing hair loss or re-grow those that are already falling, we must work to preserve the function of these stem cells which are found in the hair follicles.

Against hair loss, but not only!This finding may help guide future research on hair loss more precisely. Scientists at the University of Calgary are particularly hoping to find a way to prevent this degeneration by blocking certain genetic mutations that occur directly in stem cells in fibroblasts.

They also believe that this will have wider implications. Indeed, Wisoo Shin, lead author of the study, points out that similar fibroblasts are found in most of our organs, maintaining their integrity and promoting tissue regeneration. Finding a way to promote self-renewal to produce new functional fibroblasts into old age therefore also offers the hope of being able to treat certain injuries and help the skin to regenerate.

Lamia spent a couple of years interning at an organization that offered medical consultation before joining the editorial team at FLWL News. An enthusiastic fitness freak in the room, she offers the best amounts of insights and craft-based writing style to keep us up to date about the medicine industry, health and science.

Email:lamia@flwl.orgPhone: +1 512-845-8162

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Stem cells are believed to play a key role in hair loss - FLWL News