TLDR Iron chelators can effectively reduce hair loss and improve hair growth in autoimmune alopecia.
The article explores the use of iron chelators, such as deferoxamine (DFO) and deferiprone (DFP), in treating autoimmune-induced alopecia by stabilizing hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α). This stabilization enhances vascularization and cellular proliferation in hair follicles, leading to improved hair density, thickness, and elasticity, and reducing hair loss by up to 66.8% over six to nine months. Iron chelators also mitigate oxidative damage and modulate inflammatory responses, offering a promising new treatment for alopecia. The therapy is safe and well-tolerated, with potential benefits when combined with immune-modulating therapies like Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. Future research should focus on large-scale trials and personalized approaches to maximize the effectiveness of iron chelation therapy.
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