Inhibition of Glycosphingolipid Synthesis Reverses Skin Inflammation and Hair Loss in ApoE−/− Mice Fed Western Diet
July 2018
in “
Scientific Reports
”
Studysummary In this study, a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet in atherosclerotic mice led to skin inflammation and hair problems, which could be reversed by inhibiting glycosphingolipid synthesis. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The study found that a western diet high in fat and cholesterol led to decreased levels of ceramides and glucosylceramide, and increased lactosylceramide in ApoE−/− mice, resulting in skin inflammation, hair discoloration, and hair loss. This was due to increased expression of lactosylceramide synthase and neutrophil infiltration. However, inhibiting glycosphingolipid synthesis with D-PDMP, either alone or in a biodegradable polymer, reversed these effects. This suggested that targeting glycosphingolipid synthesis could be a potential therapeutic approach for skin and hair conditions.
