Vitamin A's role in hair recoveryRetinoic acid drives hair follicle stem cell activation via Wnt/β-catenin signalling in androgenetic alopecia.
Directly relates to hair loss treatment
We aimed to understand how retinoic acid (RA), a derivative of vitamin A, impacts hair loss, particularly in individuals suffering from androgenetic alopecia (AGA). By examining hair follicles from both the occipital and frontal areas of the scalp, we were able to conduct RNA sequencing to observe patterns relevant to HFSC (hair follicle stem cell) health.
In our experiments, we utilized a mouse model to see how administering RA affects hair growth during the telogen phase, a resting period for hair follicles. We then subjected miniaturized hair follicles to RA treatment in controlled organ cultures to assess hair shaft elongation and the activity of HFSCs.
The results revealed that RA signaling appeared to be diminished during AGA, leading to dysfunction in HFSCs. When we treated hair follicles with RA, we observed a notable recovery in hair regeneration. This treatment seemed to promote hair growth by activating HFSCs through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways, facilitating their transition from a quiescent to an active state.
Additionally, a clinical part of the study confirmed that RA may hold promise as an early intervention tactic in AGA, reinforcing its role in reviving hair follicle activity. Overall, our findings suggested that vitamin A can be a game-changer in addressing hair loss by effectively reactivating stem cells in hair follicles.
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