Does Prostaglandin D2 Hold the Cure to Male Pattern Baldness?

February 2014 in “ Experimental Dermatology ”

Ashley Nieves, Luis A. Garza

prostaglandin D2 PGD2 androgenetic alopecia male pattern baldness prostaglandin D2 synthase PTGDS GPR44 hair miniaturization hair cycle AGA

Studysummary This review discusses the role of Prostaglandin D2 and its synthase in androgenetic alopecia but reports no new clinical findings, suggesting pathways for future therapeutic development.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The document from 2014 explores the connection between Prostaglandin D₂ (PGD₂) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or male pattern baldness, noting that PGD₂ levels are higher in the balding areas of men with AGA and can inhibit hair growth. It identifies the enzyme prostaglandin D₂ synthase (PTGDS) and its receptor GPR44 as key components in this process and suggests that targeting these could lead to new treatments for AGA. The paper calls for further research to confirm the role of PGD₂ in hair loss, including studies on its effects throughout the hair cycle, its involvement in other types of hair loss, and the potential for reversing hair miniaturization by inhibiting PGD₂ or GPR44. The research was supported by NIAMS/NIH grant R01AR064297 and involved input from experts in the field, with no conflicts of interest declared by the authors.

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