Correlation Between Hair Physiology and Hair Loss

The study explored the relationship between hair loss and scalp hair physiology, focusing on the role of growth factors. It was found that certain growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF-β), inhibited hair growth, while others like insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) stimulated it. IGF-I was noted for its role in regulating blood sugar and arachidonic acid production, which influences male hormone components and keratinocyte control. The study suggested that dermal papilla cells, which produce IGF-I, could suppress keratinocyte growth, though the exact mechanism was unclear. Potential explanations included the generation of an inhibitor or a reduction in stimulating cell numbers.