The Role of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Hair Growth
August 2018
in “
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
”
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Studysummary This study found that the application of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly arachidonic acid, promoted hair growth and anagen induction in both human dermal papilla cells and mouse models.
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The study from 2018 investigated the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), specifically arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), on hair growth. It was found that AA improved the viability of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs), stimulated the expression of growth factors, and increased the phosphorylation of transcription factors and Bcl-2 expression. Additionally, AA promoted hair shaft elongation and keratinocyte proliferation in hair follicle organ culture. Both AA and EPA, when applied topically, accelerated the transition to the anagen (growth) phase in C57BL/6 mice, and their combination was found to prolong this phase. The study concluded that AA and EPA have a positive effect on hair growth and could be potential treatments for hair loss.