Singapore - Saba:
An international team of scientists has announced the discovery of a protein that plays a key role in hair growth and protecting hair follicles.
Experiments showed that inhibiting a protein called "MCL-1" in mice led to gradual hair loss and the disappearance of stem cells in the follicles within 90 days.
Researchers from the National University of Singapore's School of Medicine and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Australia explained that enhancing this protein could help prevent hair loss and even treat "alopecia," as it aids in activating stem cells in hair follicles during the growth phase and protects them from damage and stress.
Hair follicles go through regular cycles of growth and dormancy, with an estimated 70-90% of scalp hair being in the growth phase at any given time. However, in some cases, this cycle can be disrupted, leading to hair loss.
The protein known as "MCL-1" is believed to play a pivotal role in supporting the growth phase and also helps "reactivate" the stem cells responsible for renewing the follicles after a dormant period.
Scientists suggest that protecting these cells from stress and damage enhances their ability to grow, contributing to the maintenance of hair density and healthy regeneration.
Although the study’s results, published in the journal Nature, require human clinical trials, the team confirms that understanding the mechanisms of hair growth could pave the way for innovative treatments.
It is worth noting that hair loss affects about 85% of men by middle age, and for some, it appears at an earlier age. Affected individuals often turn to medications, hair transplant surgeries, or laser treatments to stimulate follicle growth.
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