Dietary vitamin A regulates wingless-related MMTV integration site signaling to alter the hair cycle
October 2014
in “Experimental Biology and Medicine”
TLDR Eating vitamin A affects hair growth and health by changing cell signals in mice.
The study found that dietary vitamin A activates hair follicle stem cells in mice in a dose-dependent manner, which induces the growth phase of the hair cycle and could make follicles more susceptible to autoimmune attack in alopecia areata. High levels of vitamin A were shown to increase WNT signaling within the hair follicle, with significant effects observed at doses as low as 4 IU vitamin A/g diet. The research suggests that retinoic acid regulates WNT signaling in developing hair follicles, and the authors aim to further explore this mechanism and establish a healthy range of retinoids for hair follicles, potentially aiding in the treatment of hair loss diseases. The study used doses of vitamin A 3-7 times higher than recommended for humans, which could be toxic, but are commonly consumed by mice and some Americans through supplements.
View this study on journals.sagepub.com →
Cited in this study
research Alopecia areata is driven by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and is reversed by JAK inhibition
Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.
research Follicular Density and Ratios in Scarring and Nonscarring Alopecia
Nonscarring alopecia has higher hair density than scarring alopecia, and hair density can help diagnose the type of alopecia.
research Retinoid Metabolism Is Altered in Human and Mouse Cicatricial Alopecia
Altered retinoid metabolism in cicatricial alopecia suggests a balanced vitamin A diet may prevent the condition.
research Endogenous Retinoids in the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata
research Evaluation of biophysical skin parameters and assessment of hair growth in patients with acne treated with isotretinoin
Isotretinoin effectively reduces acne but causes dry skin, higher skin pH, more redness, and hair loss.
research Cutaneous Retinoic Acid Levels Determine Hair Follicle Development and Downgrowth
The right amount of retinoic acid is essential for normal hair growth and development.
research Dermatopathy in juvenile Angus cattle due to vitamin A deficiency
Some young Angus cattle had skin problems due to not enough vitamin A, which got better after they were given more vitamin A.
research Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.
research Multi-layered environmental regulation on the homeostasis of stem cells: The saga of hair growth and alopecia
Environmental factors at different levels control hair stem cell activity, which could lead to new hair growth and alopecia treatments.
research A family business: stem cell progeny join the niche to regulate homeostasis
Stem cell offspring help control their parent stem cells, affecting tissue health, healing, and cancer.
research Endogenous retinoids in the hair follicle and sebaceous gland
Maintaining the right amount of retinoic acid is crucial for healthy hair and skin.
research Paracrine TGF-β Signaling Counterbalances BMP-Mediated Repression in Hair Follicle Stem Cell Activation
TGF-β2 helps activate hair follicle stem cells by counteracting BMP signals.
research Retinol Esterification by DGAT1 Is Essential for Retinoid Homeostasis in Murine Skin
research Immunolocalization of Enzymes, Binding Proteins, and Receptors Sufficient for Retinoic Acid Synthesis and Signaling During the Hair Cycle
Retinoic acid production and signaling in hair follicles are regulated by location and timing, affecting hair growth and cycling.
research Familial aggregation of alopecia areata
Alopecia areata, a common autoimmune hair loss condition, often runs in families.
research Hair Cycle-Specific Immunolocalization of Retinoic Acid Synthesizing Enzymes Aldh1a2 and Aldh1a3 Indicate Complex Regulation
The enzymes Aldh1a2 and Aldh1a3 are involved in making retinoic acid in hair follicles and have different roles in hair growth.
research Novel cycle changes in scalp hair are caused by etretinate therapy
Etretinate therapy can cause hair loss by disrupting the hair growth cycle.
research Critical Stages of Hair Development and Pigmentation in the Mouse
Related
research Alopecia areata: A multifactorial autoimmune condition
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.
research Linear alopecia areata
research Treating of resistant cases of alopecia universalis
Combining platelet-rich plasma therapy with prostaglandin-F eye drops can significantly regrow hair in alopecia universalis.