TLDR Follistatin is important for hair growth and could help treat hair loss.
The 2004 study investigated the role of follistatin in hair follicle development and its potential in treating alopecia. It was found that follistatin mRNA is present in various parts of the hair follicle and skin, while activin BA-mRNA is primarily in dermal papilla cells. Experiments showed that both follistatin knockout and activin BA transgenic mice had delayed hair follicle development compared to normal mice. Furthermore, applying follistatin protein to embryonic skin explants promoted hair follicle growth, which was hindered by activin A protein. These findings indicate that follistatin and activin interaction is crucial for hair follicle development and may lead to new alopecia treatments. The number of mice used in the study was not mentioned.
81 citations,
January 2003 in “The FASEB Journal” Follistatin helps hair growth and cycling, while activin prevents it.
854 citations,
February 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Understanding hair follicle development can help treat hair loss, skin regeneration, and certain skin cancers.
86 citations,
December 2001 in “Experimental dermatology” Mutant mice help researchers understand hair growth and related genetic factors.
204 citations,
October 1999 in “EMBO journal” Overexpression of activin A in mice skin causes skin thickening, fibrosis, and improved wound healing.
223 citations,
January 2014 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” The conclusion is that proper signaling is crucial for hair growth and development, and errors can lead to cancer or hair loss.
300 citations,
August 2012 in “Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology” The conclusion is that certain cell interactions and signals are crucial for hair growth and regeneration.
138 citations,
June 2012 in “Genes & Development” Sonic hedgehog signaling is crucial for hair growth and maintaining hair follicle identity.
28 citations,
March 2010 in “Histochemistry and cell biology” Skin cells can help create early hair-like structures in lab cultures.
102 citations,
August 2008 in “Genes & Development” Laminin-511 is crucial for early hair growth and maintaining important hair development signals.
January 2004 in “Enshou saisei” Follistatin is important for hair growth and could help treat hair loss.
