Non-Thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Activates Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Dermal Papilla Cells
August 2021
in “
Scientific Reports
”
non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma Wnt/β-catenin signaling dermal papilla cells hair follicle development hair regeneration argon gas gene expression hair growth human hair organ culture mouse models ex vivo model non-pharmacological intervention minoxidil finasteride NTAPP Wnt signaling Rogaine Propecia
Studysummary This study found that non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma may stimulate hair growth through activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, suggesting it could be a potential non-pharmacological treatment for alopecia. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The study explored the effects of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NTAPP) on dermal papilla cells, which are crucial for hair growth, by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This pathway played a significant role in hair follicle development and regeneration. NTAPP, using argon gas, stimulated gene expression related to this pathway without cytotoxic effects, enhancing hair growth in both human hair organ culture and mouse models. Although NTAPP did not significantly elongate human hair follicles in an ex vivo model, it showed potential as a non-pharmacological intervention for hair loss, offering an alternative to traditional medications like minoxidil and finasteride. The study concluded that NTAPP could be a promising therapeutic approach for promoting hair growth, highlighting the need for further research to optimize its clinical application.
