Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1: Roles in Androgenetic Alopecia
February 2014
in “
Experimental Dermatology
”
Studysummary This study found that dermal papilla cells from balding scalp follicles secrete significantly less insulin-like growth factor-1 and its binding proteins, suggesting a mechanism contributing to male pattern baldness. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays a role in androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a common form of hair loss. DP cells from balding scalp follicles secrete significantly less IGF-1 than those from non-balding scalps, and IGF-respective-binding proteins (IGFBP-2, IGFBP-4) are downregulated in balding DP group. The downregulation of IGF-1 is one of the important mechanisms contributing to male pattern baldness. IGF-1 might be considered as a new therapeutic option for hair loss.
