Microbiome in the Hair Follicle of Androgenetic Alopecia Patients

May 2019 in “ PLOS ONE ”

Bryan Ho, Eliza Xin Pei Ho, Collins Wenhan Chu, Srinivas Ramasamy, Mei Bigliardi-Qi, Paola Florez de Sessions, Paul L. Bigliardi

androgenetic alopecia hair follicle microbiome Propionibacterium acnes immune response gene expression miniaturized hair AGA P. acnes

TLDR Hair loss patients have different microbes in hair follicles, possibly affecting hair loss.

This study analyzed the microbiome in the hair follicles of patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and found that there were distinct microbial populations in the middle and lower portions of the hair follicle. The study also found that there was a higher abundance of Propionibacterium acnes in miniaturized hair samples from AGA patients, which may be associated with elevated immune response gene expression in the hair follicle. The study suggests that the microbiome may play a role in AGA pathogenesis and that further research is needed to understand the relationship between the microbiome and hair loss.

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Research cited in this study

16 / 16 results

research Comparative Transcriptome Profiling Provides New Insights Into Mechanisms of Androgenetic Alopecia Progression

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AGA progression involves increased lipid synthesis, electron transport, and hair follicle miniaturization.

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Hair loss in male pattern baldness involves muscle degeneration and increased scalp fat.

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Scalp dermatoscopy helps diagnose and monitor hair loss severity.

research Prostaglandin D2 Inhibits Hair Growth and Is Elevated in Bald Scalp of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

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PGD2 stops hair growth and is higher in bald men with AGA.

research Is Propionibacterium Acnes Associated With Hair Casts And Alopecia?

19 citations, January 2012 in “International Journal of Trichology”

Propionibacterium acnes might be linked to hair casts and possibly alopecia.

research Sebum Free Fatty Acids Enhance the Innate Immune Defense of Human Sebocytes by Upregulating Beta-Defensin-2 Expression

195 citations, December 2009 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Free fatty acids in sebum boost skin's defense against acne by increasing antimicrobial peptides.

research Scalp Dermoscopy of Androgenetic Alopecia in Asian People

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research Increased Hair Shedding May Be Associated with the Presence of Malassezia

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Malassezia yeast might be linked to more hair shedding.

research Comparative Evaluation of Hair Density and Grouped Hair Unit Pattern Between Androgenetic Alopecia and Normal Scalp

5 citations, January 2004 in “Annals of Dermatology”

People with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) have lower hair density and more single-hair units compared to those with normal scalps.

research Molecular Mechanisms of Androgenetic Alopecia

229 citations, August 2002 in “Experimental Gerontology”

AGA causes hair loss by shrinking hair follicles due to DHT binding, and can be treated with finasteride and minoxidil.

research Androgenetic Alopecia and Microinflammation

131 citations, August 2000 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Inflammation may be linked to hair loss, and targeting specific enzymes could help treat it.

research Ketoconazole Shampoo: Effect of Long-Term Use in Androgenic Alopecia

92 citations, January 1998 in “Dermatology”

Ketoconazole shampoo improves hair growth and reduces oil similarly to minoxidil in male pattern hair loss.

research Improvement in the Inflammatory Aspect of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Pilot Study with an Antimicrobial Lotion

40 citations, January 1996 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

Antimicrobial lotion reduces inflammation and increases hair density in hair loss patients.

research Cutaneous Immunopathology of Androgenetic Alopecia

10 citations, August 1991 in “PubMed”

Inflammation, possibly triggered by a specific bacteria and activated by UV radiation, may contribute to male pattern baldness.

research Cutaneous Immunopathology of Androgenetic Alopecia

13 citations, August 1991 in “The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association”

research Male Pattern Alopecia: A Histopathologic and Histochemical Study

94 citations, August 1975 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

Male pattern baldness involves smaller hair follicles, larger oil glands, and other tissue changes, but not major blood supply issues.

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