Excess prostaglandin D2 in the scalp causes baldness
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Excess prostaglandin D2 in the scalp suppresses the growth of hair bags and, consequently, of the hair itself.
Almost 80% of men suffer from androgenetic alopecia, that is baldness. It happens in everyone differently - someone in his youth, someone in his old age, and differently manifested: some are balding completely, others are eliminated in small bald places. Some men are ready to give everything for new hair, but despite a considerable public inquiry, scientists still do not know even all causes of baldness, let alone offer effective therapy. It was possible to find out that the hair loss is promoted by a mutation in the gene of the testosterone receptor , but this mutation is found only in a small part of men with alopecia. Existing medications were selected due to a fluke: finasteride (propecia) was originally developed as an antitumor agent, and minoxidil (regeyn) - as a remedy for increased blood pressure.
Scientists representing the medical faculty of the University of Pennsylvania (USA), managed to find another - perhaps the main - cause of baldness. It turned out that the synthesis of prostaglandin D2 and the enzyme responsible for this process was increased in the scalp of balding men. Prostaglandins are lipid molecules that, like ordinary hormones, have a powerful effect on physiology. Experiments allowed to see how prostaglandin D2 affects the condition of the hair in mice: if there was a lot of prostaglandin, the hair follicles remained small and could only give a small hair. Derivatives of this lipid in general suppressed hair growth.
Researchers also managed to identify a protein that "feels" prostaglandin D2 and passes its instructions inside the cell. He was GPR44 (receptor 44, associated with G-protein). It is believed that he also plays the most active role in a variety of allergies, and some companies are already testing drugs that suppress the activity of GPR44. Perhaps, these same medicines will work against baldness.
Researchers specify that other prostaglandins work just for hair growth: for example, F2 alpha stimulates the growth of eyelashes, and E2 - hair growth in mice. Most likely, the density of the hairline depends on the balance of different prostaglandins. So, whether the suppression of the synthesis of "bad" prostaglandin D2 will be successful, scientists can not say yet; it is possible to connect other physiologically active molecules to restore hair growth ...
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