Lipid Peroxides Induce Early Onset of Catagen Phase in Murine Hair Cycles

The study investigated the role of oxidative stress in alopecia by examining the effects of lipid peroxides on hair follicles. It was found that the topical application of linolein hydroperoxides, a type of lipid peroxide, caused an early onset of the catagen phase in murine hair cycles. Additionally, lipid peroxides induced apoptosis in hair follicle cells and human epidermal keratinocytes by up-regulating apoptosis-related genes. These findings suggested that lipid peroxides, through the generation of free radicals, could lead to hair follicle cell apoptosis and contribute to the development of alopecia, providing potential insights into its mechanisms.