Hair Loss Study: Scientists reverse aging-associated skin wrinkles and hair loss in a mouse model

Hair Loss Study: Experimental drug reverses hair loss and skin damage linked to fatty diet, shows a new study in mice

The research advances the search for compounds that may someday accelerate wound healing and reverse balding in a series of experiments with mice, Johns Hopkins investigators have used an experimental compound to successfully reverse hair loss, hair whitening and skin inflammation linked by previous studies to human diets heavy in fat and cholesterol.

The investigators say the compound halts the production of certain fats called glycosphingolipids, or GSLs, that are major components of skin and other cell membranes. Current research shows that mice fed a diet high in fat and cholesterol are more likely to have hair discoloration from black to gray to white, extensive hair loss and inflammation of skin exhibited by multiple wounds. Feeding these animals the compound, however, appears to reverse such symptoms.

The Hopkins investigators caution that such results in mice do not mean that the same effects would occur in people, and there is no evidence at this time that the compounds they used would be safe in people. But the findings, they say, do shed light on possible pathways for addressing hair loss and skin wounds in humans with oral or topical medications.

A report on the findings was published July 30 in Scientific Reports.

"Further research is needed, but our findings show promise for someday using the drug we developed for skin diseases such as psoriasis, and wounds resulting from diabetes or plastic surgery," says Subroto Chatterjee, Ph.D., M.S., M.Sc., professor of pediatrics and medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Chatterjee conducts research as part of Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

More specifically, previous studies showed that GSLs are prevalent in the cells that make up the uppermost layer of the skin, as well as in cells called keratinocytes that help regulate pigmentation of the eyes, skin and hair.

To determine how disrupting GSLs might affect skin appearance and color, and whether treatment with D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (D-PDMP) -- a human-made compound that halts GSL production -- would reverse any negative effects, Chatterjee and his colleagues first genetically modified a group of mice to have atherosclerosis, a disease in which arteries are clogged by fat deposits.

The researchers then fed one group of these mice a Western diet high in fat and cholesterol, and a second group standard chow. All mice were fed their assigned diets from 12 weeks of age to 20 weeks.

Compared to those fed standard chow, the mice that ate a Western diet lost hair, formed skin lesions and suffered from hair whitening. These results became more severe when the mice continued eating a Western diet for 36 weeks, with 75 percent of the mice having skin, hair loss and multiple skin lesions.

From 20 to 36 weeks of age, mice in both groups were given varying amounts of D-PDMP, either in a capsule or as a liquid, while they ate the same diet. Mice that received 1 milligram and 10 milligrams of D-PDMP in a capsule per kilogram of body weight from 20 to 36 weeks while eating a Western diet started regaining hair and hair color, and their skin inflammation lessened. Treatment with 1 milligram of D-PDMP in a capsule per kilogram of body weight was as effective as 10 milligrams per kilogram as a liquid. This suggests that an encapsulated form of D-PDMP is a better method of drug delivery.

The research team then looked at the skin of the mice's under a microscope and found that mice eating the Western diet experienced an infiltration of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell implicated in inflammation, in various skin areas. Treatment with D-PDMP in a capsule significantly reduced the number of neutrophils, implying reduced skin inflammation and wounding.

Next, the researchers used mass spectrometry analysis, a method of identifying and quantifying the chemical composition of a mixture, to determine ceramide, glucosylceramide and lactosylceramide levels in the mice. Ceramides are a type of lipid, or fat, that helps protect the skin's moisture, and glucosylceramide is the first derivative of ceramide, whereas lactosylceramide, a later derivative of ceramide, activates inflammation.

Compared to mice fed normal chow, those fed a Western diet had decreased total ceramide levels, decreased glucosylceramide and nearly three times more lactosylceramide. Treatment with 1 milligram of D-PDMP in a capsule per kilogram of body weight or 10 milligrams of D-PDMP as a liquid per kilogram of body weight, however, noticeably increased ceramide levels to normal.

"Our findings show that a Western diet causes hair loss, hair whitening and skin inflammation in mice, and we believe a similar process occurs in men who lose hair and experience hair whitening when they eat a diet high in fat and cholesterol," says Chatterjee.

More animal research needs to be done to confirm and expand on the findings, and to determine how well and what amount of D-PDMP might heal wounds and activate hair growth.

"Hopefully someday in the future this can mean faster, more effective recovery from baldness, hair whitening in aging populations and wound healing," says Chatterjee.

Other authors on this paper include Djahida Bedja, Wenwen Yan, Dominica Iocca, Veera Ratnam Bandaru and Nickesh Ramakrishnan of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Wenwen Yan of Tongji University.

This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (PO1HL10715301).

Story Source:

Materials provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference:

1. Djahida Bedja, Wenwen Yan, Viren Lad, Domenica Iocco, Nickash Sivakumar, Veera Venkata Ratnam Bandaru, Subroto Chatterjee. Inhibition of glycosphingolipid synthesis reverses skin inflammation and hair loss in ApoE−/− mice fed western diet. Scientific Reports, 2018; 8 (1) DOI: 

PAGE CITATION: Johns Hopkins Medicine. "Experimental drug reverses hair loss and skin damage linked to fatty diet, shows new study in mice: The research advances search for compounds that may someday accelerate wound healing and reverse balding." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 30 July 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180730090152.htm>.

Man Buns Can Cause Hair Loss

The man bun, like other extreme hairstyles, can cause permanent hair loss.

For those who do not know exactly what the man bun is, it is defined as "a type of long hairstyle that involves the tying of one’s hair into a single bun to be placed upon the crown area of the head also known as the 'bro bun', 'hipster bun', 'mun' or 'dude bun'. On women, we call it top-knot. The man bun has become so popular that men do not even need to grow their hair out. They can purchase a “bun” to clip to their head.

The trendy “man buns’ or top-knots can lead to hair loss. That constant pull on the scalp can pull the hair follicle out and ultimately lead to permanent scarring, which is something called traction alopecia. Traction alopecia is a form of alopecia, or gradual hair loss, caused primarily by pulling force being applied to the hair. Traumatic alopecia is essentially a cosmetic disorder caused by tight, repetitive hair styling. Over-time this aggressive styling damages the scalp causing thin, short broken hairs and bald spots. It is common to see this loss near the temple, but it can happen anywhere along the hairline.

Other aggressive hairstyles that can cause permanent hair loss in men and women include:

• Braids
• Cornrows
• Tight Dreadlocks
• Weaves
• Tight ponytails (also high ponytails)
• Topknot buns
• Repeated use of rollers to set hair

Symptoms of traction alopecia include

• Small bumps on your scalp
• A pulling sensation or a headache
• Scalp tenderness
• Crusting (not dandruff)
• Stinging on your scalp
• Patchy hair loss
• Fragile hair that breaks easily

Onset is gradual and often takes 2 to 3 years to become apparent in all cases, immediate
cessation of the underlying cause can reverse this type of hair loss. In order to avoid traction alopecia, you should do the following:

• Avoid wearing tight hairstyles
• Wear your ponytail and buns loose
• Change the pattern of braided and twisted hairstyles.
• Make sure braids, cornrows, or weaves are not too tight.
• Change your hairstyle often
• Do not sleep in rollers. Wrap or pin curl your hair at night.
• Avoid rubber bands and elastic ponytail holders
• Remove hair extensions that are causing pain or irritation
• Invest in a satin pillowcase to avoid pulling

Suffering from traction alopecia?  Restore your Hair and your Life

Apollo Hair Reconstruction (AHR) is a proprietary nonsurgical hair replacement technique that not only restores your hair and natural appearance but also can restore your self-confidence and improve the quality of your life.

Contact Apollo Hair Replacement of Dallas, Fort Worth today to inquire about AHR for men and women, or to learn about any of our other customized hair loss solutions to solve virtually any hair loss condition.

Call us now for your free consultation (800) 339-4247

Flakes and an itchy, scaly scalp are the main symptoms of dandruff. White, oily flakes typically accumulate in your hair and on your shoulders and often get worse during the fall and winter months, when the air is dry. Dandruff affects about 50 million people in the U.S.

Dandruff does not cause baldness and is not contagious, so those white flakes on your shoulders pose no health risk.  Although it's embarrassing -- and the itching can be bothersome -- dandruff isn't harmful. While dandruff cannot be cured, it can be controlled.

Dandruff can have several causes, including:

• Dry skin— the kind you get during winter when the air is cold and rooms are overheated — is the most common cause of itchy, flaking dandruff. Flakes from dry skin are generally smaller and less oily than those from other causes of dandruff, and you'll likely have symptoms and signs of dry skin on other parts of the body, such as your legs and arms.
• Irritated, oily skin (seborrheic dermatitis). This condition, one of the most frequent causes of dandruff, is marked by red, greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales. Seborrheic dermatitis may affect not only your scalp, but also other areas rich in oil glands, such as your eyebrows, the sides of your nose and the backs of your ears, your breastbone, your groin area, and sometimes your armpits.
• Not shampooing often enough. If you don't regularly wash your hair, oils and skin cells from your scalp can build up, causing dandruff.
• Psoriasis. This skin disorder causes an accumulation of dead skin cells that form thick, silvery scales. Psoriasis commonly occurs on your knees, elbows and trunk, but it can also affect your scalp.
• Eczema. If you have eczema anywhere on your body, it could also be on your scalp, possibly leading to the development of dandruff.
• Sensitivity to hair care products (contact dermatitis). Sometimes sensitivities to certain ingredients in hair care products or hair dyes, especially paraphenylene diamine (PPD), can cause a red, itchy, scaling scalp. Shampooing too often or using too many styling products also may irritate your scalp, causing dandruff.

Ways to control the inching & flaking:

Stop scratching - It’s tempting to scratch an itchy scalp, and doing so may relieve the itch, but it can make things worse. That’s because scratching releases flakes of skin and increases visible dandruff. It can also weaken hair, making it prone to breaking.

To decrease the buildup of dandruff's dead skin cells, try using an antidandruff shampoo daily. Leave shampoo on for 5 minutes, then rinse well. You may need to try several dandruff shampoos to find one that works best for you. If one stops working, try another. If that doesn't help, call your doctor.

If the dandruff flakes you see are greasy and yellow, you may have seborrheic dermatitis. It's an inflammatory skin condition that can occur where there are lots of oil glands, like the scalp and face. Though seborrheic dermatitis is related to hormones, fungus, and even some neurological problems, it's treated the same as dandruff: with antidandruff shampoos. Severe cases may need a prescription steroid or antifungal medicine.

ABOUT DANDRUFF SHAMPOOS

Dandruff shampoos are classified according to the medication they contain:

• Zinc pyrithione shampoos (such as Selsun Salon, Head & Shoulders). These contain the antibacterial and antifungal agent zinc pyrithione, which can reduce the fungus on your scalp that can cause dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis.
• Tar-based shampoos (such as Neutrogena T/Gel). Coal tar, a byproduct of the coal manufacturing process, helps conditions such as dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis by slowing how quickly skin cells on your scalp die and flake off.
• Shampoos containing salicylic acid (such as Ionil T). These "scalp scrubs" help eliminate scale, but they may leave your scalp dry, leading to more flaking. Using a conditioner after shampooing can help relieve dryness.
• Selenium sulfide shampoos (such as Selsun Blue). These shampoos slow your skin cells from dying and may also reduce malassezia. Because they can discolor blond, gray or chemically colored hair, be sure to use them only as directed, and rinse well after shampooing.
• Ketoconazole shampoos (such as Nizoral). Ketoconazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that may work when other shampoos fail. It's available over-the-counter as well as by prescription.

The ABC's of Hair Care - Get Your Vitamins 

Good nutrition is the basis for beautiful, healthy hair. While hair may be important for your self-image, it is not essential to maintain life so, when nutrients are in short supply, your body will convert them to more life-sustaining functions. Here are a handful of vitamins & minerals that can help your hair be healthy.

Vitamin A:
All cells need vitamin A for growth. This includes hair, the fastest growing tissue in the human body. Vitamin A can be found in animal products such as milk, eggs and yogurt. Cod liver oil is a particularly good source.

Vitamin B Complex:
Vitamin B promotes healthy skin, nails, and shiny hair. While all the different variations of B are found in a large array of food, try focusing on nuts, brown rice, eggs and green vegetables.

Vitamin C:
Your body needs vitamin C to create a protein known as collagen which is an important part of hair structure. Grab citrus fruits, strawberriesand peppers to get your vitamin C fix. Vitamin C also helps your body absorb iron, a mineral necessary for hair growth.

Vitamin D:
Recent studies have highlighted a correlation between Vitamin D deficiency and hair loss, particularly in women. This vitamin is known to help with the health of hair follicles. Getting vitamin D is as simple as standing out in the sun, but if you're sensitive to UV rays, try eating mushrooms, fatty fish or egg yolks.

Vitamin E:
In a 2010 study, people with hair loss experienced a 34.5% increase in hair growth after supplementing with vitamin E for 8 months. Get your vitamin E from yummy avocados, spinach & almonds.

Iron:
When it comes to restoring hair growth, iron seems to play a big role. While having an iron deficiency doesn't necessarily mean hair loss, not having enough iron in your blood can make it worse. Try eating more meat, egg yolk and dark leafy greens for the best impact.

Zinc:
The last mineral in the alphabetical array of nutrients should not be last on your list. Zinc also provides a variety of benefits, and can be easily found in red meats, poultry, fish, whole wheats and dairy. Did you know that there are actually shampoos that contain zinc? It's that good for hair restoration.

For a well-rounded diet be sure to get all the vitamins and minerals you need, here is a list of some nutrient-dense foods:

Restore your Hair and your Life

Apollo Hair Reconstruction (AHR) is a proprietary nonsurgical hair replacement technique that not only restores your hair and natural appearance but also can restore your self-confidence and improve the quality of your life.

Contact Apollo Hair Replacement of Dallas, Fort Worth today to inquire about AHR for men and women, or to learn about any of our other customized hair loss solutions to solve virtually any hair loss condition.

Call us now for your free consultation (800) 339-4247