The Regulatory Mechanisms of Mitophagy and Oxidative Stress in Androgenetic Alopecia

This paper explores the roles of oxidative stress and mitophagy in the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a common form of hair loss affecting up to 80% of men. Oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defenses, leads to cellular damage in hair follicles. Mitochondrial dysfunction exacerbates this by increasing ROS production, creating a cycle of damage. Mitophagy, the process of removing damaged mitochondria, is crucial for maintaining cellular energy and redox balance. Understanding the molecular interactions between oxidative stress and mitophagy could inform new treatments targeting the follicular microenvironment. The study highlights the importance of signaling pathways, such as Wnt/β-catenin and TGF-β1, in hair growth regulation.