Poor Perifollicular Vascularization Is Associated With Nutrient Insufficiency and a Quiescent Metabolic Phenotype in Intermediate Hair Follicles From Patients With Female Pattern Hair Loss

The study investigated the relationship between nutrient deficiency and poor blood vessel supply in patients with female pattern hair loss (FPHL). The researchers found that FPHL patients had reduced perifollicular blood vessels in the affected scalp compared to healthy donors. They also observed changes in the expression of growth factors associated with blood vessel formation. Metabolic analysis revealed decreased levels of important nutrients for hair growth in the affected scalp. However, when excess nutrients were added to the culture medium, the affected hair follicles were able to take them up. These findings suggest that poor blood vessel supply in FPHL may compromise nutrient delivery to the hair follicles, and nutrient supplementation could potentially correct this deficiency.