Age-Induced Hair Greying: The Multiple Effects of Oxidative Stress
August 2013
in “
International Journal of Cosmetic Science
”
oxidative stress melanocyte stem cells follicular melanocyte death BCL-2 gene apoptosis anti-oxidant proteins TRP-2 catalase activity hydrogen peroxide accumulation amelanotic melanocytes outer root sheath oxidative damage stem cells cell death gene depletion cell suicide antioxidants enzyme activity H2O2 accumulation non-pigmented melanocytes hair follicle sheath
TLDR Hair greying is caused by oxidative stress damaging hair follicles and melanocytes.
Hair greying, a sign of aging, resulted from oxidative stress affecting various mechanisms within hair follicles. Key factors included defects in melanocyte stem cells and follicular melanocyte death. Oxidative damage, accelerated by BCL-2 gene depletion, led to apoptosis and reduced melanocyte stem cell repopulation. Aging reduced the expression of anti-oxidant proteins like BCL-2 and TRP-2, weakening the follicle's defense system and increasing oxidative stress. This caused a significant drop in catalase activity, leading to hydrogen peroxide accumulation and melanocyte death. However, amelanotic melanocytes in the outer root sheath were less affected and survived longer. Understanding these processes could help develop therapies to prevent or reverse hair greying.
