Activation of Mitochondrial Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 Promotes Hair Growth in Human Hair Follicles

The study explores the role of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in promoting hair growth by activating it in human hair follicles. ALDH2 activation, particularly using Alda-1, enhances hair growth by reducing oxidative stress, scavenging reactive oxygen species, and enhancing β-catenin signaling, which is crucial for hair follicle function. The research involved 40 hair follicles from five donors and demonstrated that ALDH2 activation increased cell proliferation and hair shaft elongation. In vivo experiments on mice showed significant hair growth comparable to Minoxidil. These findings suggest that ALDH2 activation could be a promising therapeutic strategy for hair growth and hair loss treatment.