Scienceblogtwo

A family of enzymes found inside hair follicles can be inhibited, according to recent research from Columbia University, to promote hair growth. Science Advances' online edition contains a study article that was conducted. In studies using mouse and human hair follicles, Angela M. Christiano, PhD, and associates discovered that topical application of medications that inhibit the Janus kinase (JAK) family of enzymes promotes quick and robust hair growth. According to the study, JAK inhibitors may be used to stop hair loss caused by male pattern baldness and other conditions where hair follicles are kept in a dormant state in order to promote hair growth. The American Food and Drug Administration has authorized two JAK inhibitors. Ruxolitinib, one of them, is approved for the treatment of blood disorders, while the other one is for rheumatoid arthritis (tofacitinib). Both are undergoing clinical studies for the treatment of autoimmune hair loss caused by alopecia areata and plaque ps...

Discoveries Might Put an End to Baldness and Hasten Healing Researchers have found that a particular molecule plays a crucial role in regulating the division and death of hair follicle cells. Because follicles are a source of stem cells, this discovery might potentially hasten wound healing in addition to helping cure baldness. The majority of cells in the human body have fixed forms and functions that are established during embryonic development. For instance, a blood cell cannot transform into a nerve cell and vice versa. But stem cells can differentiate into other kinds of cells, much like the empty Scrabble tiles. Because of their versatility, stem cells are useful for healing damaged organs or tissue. In science fiction, protagonists that recover swiftly from injuries are supposed to have stem cells to thank for this, according to Qixuan Wang, a mathematical biologist and research co-author from the University of California, Riverside. Our latest findings bring us one step closer ...