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

November 2023 in “ Journal of Advanced Research ”

Seung‐Hee Lee, Jungyoon Ohn, Bo Mi Kang, Sungjoo Hwang, Ohsang Kwon

mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 ALDH2 anagen phase hair follicles hair growth

Studysummary This study found that activating ALDH2, an enzyme that detoxifies acetaldehyde, promoted hair growth in hair follicles by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing cellular signaling pathways, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for inducing hair regrowth.

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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.

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