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Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... May 2024Since the emergence of scalp cooling therapy (SCT) for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), support groups on social media platforms for interested...
Since the emergence of scalp cooling therapy (SCT) for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA), support groups on social media platforms for interested patients have surfaced. Though there are over 20,000 active members across SCT Facebook groups, little is known about how members use this platform. A 23-question survey was posted in five scalp cooling Facebook groups, reaching 219 women. Results indicated that these Facebook groups play clear roles in providing the following: (1) a supportive community for patients, (2) instructions for SCT use, (3) advice regarding insurance coverage and reimbursement, and (4) recommendations for over-the-counter products for hair loss. Despite reported interest in hair loss products, only 5% of patients sought medical treatment from dermatologists. Due to group-specific access restrictions, private Facebook groups provide patients with a protected platform to learn more about SCT from both those with personal experience and SCT company specialists. Providers may consider recommending these online groups to interested patients during the scalp cooling counseling process. As patients with CIA express a growing interest in over-the-counter hair, eyebrow, and eyelash products, it is important for dermatologists to be aware of where their patients obtain recommendations, and further, if these recommendations have clinical evidence of efficacy.
Topics: Humans; Alopecia; Female; Social Media; Surveys and Questionnaires; Scalp; Adult; Middle Aged; Self-Help Groups; Antineoplastic Agents; Cryotherapy; Aged; Hypothermia, Induced
PubMed: 38748328
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08534-y -
Skin Research and Technology : Official... May 2024Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is the most common non-scarring alopecia disorder. Given its increasing incidence and onset during adolescence, AGA significantly impacts both...
BACKGROUND
Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is the most common non-scarring alopecia disorder. Given its increasing incidence and onset during adolescence, AGA significantly impacts both the physical and psychological well-being of affected individuals. Emerging evidence suggests a pivotal role of metabolites in AGA. This study aims to elucidate the causal relationship between metabolites and AGA using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
METHODS
We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) analysis based on a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to assess the causality of 452 metabolites on AGA. The main approach employed for inferring causal effects was inverse variance weighted (IVW), which was complemented by MR-Egger regression, weighted median, as well as MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) approaches. Additionally, sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure result robustness. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as instrumental variables (IVs) in GWAS dataset comprising 452 metabolites.
RESULTS
Notably, we identified Scyllo-inositol and Alpha-ketoglutarate as the most potent protective factors against AGA, while Heme* and 2-palmitoylglycerophosphocholine* emerged as significant risk factors for AGA. Furthermore, sensitivity analysis revealed no heterogeneity in these findings.
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, our research suggests a potential causal link between metabolites and AGA, offering a more comprehensive insight into the pathogenesis of AGA and present additional strategies for prevention and treatment.
Topics: Humans; Alopecia; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Genome-Wide Association Study; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Male; Heme; Female
PubMed: 38747971
DOI: 10.1111/srt.13732 -
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Oligodontia can be isolated or syndromic, associated with other ectodermal abnormalities. The aim of the study was to perform hair examination in orthodontic patients...
Oligodontia can be isolated or syndromic, associated with other ectodermal abnormalities. The aim of the study was to perform hair examination in orthodontic patients diagnosed with oligodontia with a low clinical expression of symptoms of ectodermal origin. All available orthodontic patients diagnosed with oligodontia in the permanent dentition were enrolled. Hair examination included clinical evaluation of the patients' hair, trichoscopy, trichogram and evaluation of the hair shafts under a polarized light microscope. In total, 25 patients, 18 males and 7 females, aged 6 to 24 years were evaluated for the presence of dental and hair abnormalities. The number of congenitally absent teeth ranged from 6 to 24 teeth and diastemas, microdontia, taurodontism and altered tooth shape were found in 23 patients. Hair disorders were found in 68% of the subjects. Hypotrichosis, the heterogeneity of shaft color and loss of pigment, androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, trichoschisis, pili canaliculi, trichorrhexis nodosa and pseudomoniletrix were observed. Trichoscopy and trichogram are valid non-invasive diagnostic tests which could be used to differentiate between isolated and syndromic oligodontia in patients with a low clinical expression of ectodermal symptoms.
PubMed: 38732359
DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14090945 -
Animal Models and Experimental Medicine Apr 2024Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss in men, and there are many studies on the treatment of hair loss by platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The human...
BACKGROUND
Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss in men, and there are many studies on the treatment of hair loss by platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The human scalp contains a huge microbiome, but its role in the process of hair loss remains unclear, and the relationship between PRP and the microbiome needs further study. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PRP treatment on scalp microbiota composition.
METHODS
We performed PRP treatment on 14 patients with AGA, observed their clinical efficacy, and collected scalp swab samples before and after treatment. The scalp microflora of AGA patients before and after treatment was characterized by amplifying the V3-V4 region of the 16 s RNA gene and sequencing for bacterial identification.
RESULTS
The results showed that PRP was effective in the treatment of AGA patients, and the hair growth increased significantly. The results of relative abundance analysis of microbiota showed that after treatment, g_Cutibacterium increased and g_Staphylococcus decreased, which played a stable role in scalp microbiota. In addition, g_Lawsonella decreased, indicating that the scalp oil production decreased after treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that PRP may play a role in treating AGA through scalp microbiome rebalancing.
Topics: Humans; Alopecia; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Male; Microbiota; Adult; Scalp; Middle Aged; Young Adult
PubMed: 38720238
DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12414 -
PloS One 2024Globally, the rapid aging of the population is predicted to become even more severe in the second half of the 21st century. Thus, it is expected to establish a growing... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Globally, the rapid aging of the population is predicted to become even more severe in the second half of the 21st century. Thus, it is expected to establish a growing expectation for innovative, non-invasive health indicators and diagnostic methods to support disease prevention, care, and health promotion efforts. In this study, we aimed to establish a new health index and disease diagnosis method by analyzing the minerals and free amino acid components contained in hair shaft. We first evaluated the range of these components in healthy humans and then conducted a comparative analysis of these components in subjects with diabetes, hypertension, androgenetic alopecia, major depressive disorder, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke. In the statistical analysis, we first used a student's t test to compare the hair components of healthy people and those of patients with various diseases. However, many minerals and free amino acids showed significant differences in all diseases, because the sample size of the healthy group was very large compared to the sample size of the disease group. Therefore, we attempted a comparative analysis based on effect size, which is not affected by differences in sample size. As a result, we were able to narrow down the minerals and free amino acids for all diseases compared to t test analysis. For diabetes, the t test narrowed down the minerals to 15, whereas the effect size measurement narrowed it down to 3 (Cr, Mn, and Hg). For free amino acids, the t test narrowed it down to 15 minerals. By measuring the effect size, we were able to narrow it down to 7 (Gly, His, Lys, Pro, Ser, Thr, and Val). It is also possible to narrow down the minerals and free amino acids in other diseases, and to identify potential health indicators and disease-related components by using effect size.
Topics: Humans; Hair; Male; Amino Acids; Female; Middle Aged; Adult; Alopecia; Aged; Minerals; Alzheimer Disease; Stroke; Hypertension; Depressive Disorder, Major; Diabetes Mellitus; Case-Control Studies
PubMed: 38718028
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301092 -
FEBS Open Bio Jun 2024Patterned hair loss (PHL) or androgenetic alopecia is a condition affecting about 50% of people worldwide. Several pharmacological medications have been developed over...
Patterned hair loss (PHL) or androgenetic alopecia is a condition affecting about 50% of people worldwide. Several pharmacological medications have been developed over the years, but few studies have investigated their effectiveness. Therefore, new, safer and more effective strategies are required. Recent investigations showed that Annurca apple extract application could induce keratin production and promote hair growth thanks to the high amount of procyanidin B2 contained in. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the role of an Annurca apple extract in preventing PHL by testing it on human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) for the first time. Treatment of HFDPCs with Annurca apple extract counteracted intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase 2 and catalase. Furthermore, treatment with Annurca apple extract increased β-catenin and fibroblast growth factor 2, which are involved in hair growth stimulation. These data suggest that Annurca apple extract may be a potential therapeutically useful nutraceutical product for preventing or treating hair loss by reducing oxidative stress and inducing the expression of hair growth-related factors.
Topics: Oxidative Stress; Plant Extracts; Alopecia; Humans; Malus; Reactive Oxygen Species; Antioxidants; Hair Follicle; Proanthocyanidins; Catechin; Superoxide Dismutase; Cells, Cultured; Biflavonoids; Catalase
PubMed: 38711215
DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13805 -
Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia 2024
Randomized Controlled Trial
Topics: Humans; Minoxidil; Cross-Over Studies; Male; Adult; Biotin; Administration, Oral; Treatment Outcome; Hair; Administration, Topical; Young Adult; Middle Aged; Alopecia
PubMed: 38688776
DOI: 10.1016/j.abd.2023.07.008 -
In Vivo (Athens, Greece) 2024Hair-follicle keratinocytes contain high levels of cysteine, which is derived from methionine, rapidly proliferate, and form the hair shaft. The high proliferation rate...
BACKGROUND/AIM
Hair-follicle keratinocytes contain high levels of cysteine, which is derived from methionine, rapidly proliferate, and form the hair shaft. The high proliferation rate of hair-follicle keratinocytes resembles that of aggressive cancer cells. In the present study, we determined the effect of a methionine-deficient diet on hair loss (alopecia) in mice with or without homocysteine supplementation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Mice were fed a normal rodent diet (2020X, ENVIGO) (Group 1); a methionine-choline-deficient diet (TD.90262, ENVIGO) (Group 2); a methionine-choline-deficient diet with a 10 mg/kg/day supply of homocysteine administered by intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injection for 2 weeks (Group 3). In Group 2, mice were fed a methionine-choline-deficient diet for an additional 2 weeks but with 10 mg/kg/day of i.p. l-homocysteine and the mice were observed for two additional weeks. Subsequently, the mice were fed a standard diet that included methionine. Hair loss was monitored by photography.
RESULTS
After 14 days, hair loss was observed in Group 2 mice on a methionine-restricted diet but not in Group 3 mice on the methionine-restricted diet which received i.p. homocysteine. In Group 2, at 2 weeks after methionine restriction, hair loss was not rescued by homocysteine supplementation. However, after restoration of methionine in the diet, hair growth resumed. Thus, after 2 weeks of methionine restriction, only methionine restored hair loss, not homocysteine.
CONCLUSION
Hair maintenance requires methionine in the diet. Future experiments will determine the effects of methionine restriction on hair-follicle stem cells.
Topics: Animals; Methionine; Mice; Hair; Homocysteine; Hair Follicle; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Alopecia; Disease Models, Animal; Diet; Keratinocytes
PubMed: 38688645
DOI: 10.21873/invivo.13555 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024Both alopecia areata (AA) and vitiligo are distinct, heterogenous, and complex disease entities, characterized by nonscarring scalp terminal hair loss and skin pigment... (Review)
Review
Both alopecia areata (AA) and vitiligo are distinct, heterogenous, and complex disease entities, characterized by nonscarring scalp terminal hair loss and skin pigment loss, respectively. In AA, inflammatory cell infiltrates are in the deep reticular dermis close to the hair bulb (swarm of bees), whereas in vitiligo the inflammatory infiltrates are in the epidermis and papillary dermis. Immune privilege collapse has been extensively investigated in AA pathogenesis, including the suppression of immunomodulatory factors (e.g., transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), programmed death-ligand 1 (PDL1), interleukin-10 (IL-10), α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)) and enhanced expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) throughout hair follicles. However, immune privilege collapse in vitiligo remains less explored. Both AA and vitiligo are autoimmune diseases that share commonalities in pathogenesis, including the involvement of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (and interferon-α (IFN- α) signaling pathways) and cytotoxic CD8+ T lymphocytes (and activated IFN-γ signaling pathways). Blood chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 9 (CXCL9) and CXCL10 are elevated in both diseases. Common factors that contribute to AA and vitiligo include oxidative stress, autophagy, type 2 cytokines, and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway (e.g., dickkopf 1 (DKK1)). Here, we summarize the commonalities and differences between AA and vitiligo, focusing on their pathogenesis.
Topics: Alopecia Areata; Humans; Vitiligo; Animals; Immune Privilege; Cytokines
PubMed: 38673994
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084409 -
International Journal of Molecular... Apr 2024Imbalances in gut microbiota reportedly contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases, but the association between the etiopathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA)...
Imbalances in gut microbiota reportedly contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases, but the association between the etiopathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA) and gut microbial dysbiosis remains unclear. This cross-sectional study was conducted to identify and compare the composition of the gut microbiome in patients affected by AA and those in a healthy control (HC) group, and to investigate possible bacterial biomarkers for the disease. Fecal samples were collected from 19 AA patients and 20 HCs to analyze the relationship with fecal bacteria. The three major genera constituting the gut microbiome of AA patients were , , and . The alpha diversity of the AA group was not statistically significant different from that of the HC group. However, bacterial community composition in the AA group was significantly different from that of HC group according to Jensen-Shannon dissimilarities. In patients with AA, we found an enriched presence of the genera and compared to the HC group ( < 0.05), whereas were less prevalent ( < 0.05). The gut microbiota of AA patients was distinct from those of the HC group. Our findings suggest a possible involvement of gut microbiota in in the as-yet-undefined pathogenesis of AA.
Topics: Humans; Alopecia Areata; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Female; Male; Adult; Feces; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dysbiosis; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Case-Control Studies; Bacteria; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Bacteroides
PubMed: 38673841
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084256