Adipose and Hair Function: An aPPARent Connection

In the 2018 study by Sardella et al., it was demonstrated that adipose tissue and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) are essential for hair follicle development and cycling. Using a global PPARγ-null mouse model, the researchers found that the absence of PPARγ led to delayed hair follicle morphogenesis, a slower hair cycle, shorter hair, and progressive hair loss beginning at 6 months of age. The mice also lacked sebaceous glands and exhibited total lipoatrophy. The study highlighted the importance of adipocytes in early hair follicle development and indicated that dysfunctional PPARγ signaling can adversely affect hair follicle stem cell regulation, sebaceous gland function, and increase skin inflammation. These results suggest that treatments for scarring alopecias should target PPARγ stimulation and address inflammation. The document also mentions a study by Ko et al. on thermal imaging for cellulitis diagnosis, but the number of participants is not specified.