Prostaglandin Metabolism in Human Hair Follicle

The study from 2007 investigated the expression of enzymes involved in prostaglandin metabolism in human hair follicles, focusing on their potential role in hair growth and differentiation. It found that hair follicles express genes necessary for the production and interconversion of prostaglandins PGE₂ and PGF₂α, with the epithelial part of the hair bulb being the main source. While no significant differences in prostaglandin synthesis were observed between alopecic and non-alopecic male donors, female hair follicles exhibited higher prostaglandin synthesis activity. The study also noted that mPGES-1 was strongly expressed in the dermal papilla of hair follicles, suggesting a unique role for prostaglandins in this area. The findings support the idea that prostaglandins may be involved in the control of hair growth and differentiation, with human hair follicles being fully equipped for autonomous prostaglandin synthesis and metabolism.