TLDR Hair follicle stem cells may help repair the brain after a stroke.
The study explored the use of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) for treating ischaemic stroke in a rat model, involving 48 rats divided into four groups. HFSCs were administered intravenously and demonstrated the ability to migrate to the penumbra, express neuron-specific markers, and reduce infarct volume from 44.20% to 29.80%. This led to improved neurological recovery, suggesting HFSCs' potential as a regenerative therapy due to their abundance, accessibility, and pluripotency. The findings indicated that HFSCs could be a promising alternative for stroke treatment, though further research was needed to understand the underlying mechanisms before clinical application.
36 citations
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February 2017 in “Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine” VEGF165 helps hair follicle stem cells become blood vessel cells, aiding new blood vessel growth.
98 citations
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July 2014 in “Trends in Molecular Medicine” Hair follicles are hormone-sensitive and involved in growth and other functions, with potential for new treatments, but more research is needed.
33 citations
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September 2008 in “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications” Hair follicles can be used to easily create neurons and glial cells for potential nerve repair.
344 citations
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June 2006 in “American Journal Of Pathology” Human hair follicles can provide stem cells for regenerative medicine.
319 citations
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November 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” Hair follicle stem cells can help repair damaged nerves.
419 citations
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March 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” Hair-follicle stem cells can become neurons.
212 citations
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August 2004 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” Hair follicle cells can create new blood vessels in the skin.
130 citations
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January 1994 in “Differentiation” Mouse hair follicle cells briefly grow during the early hair growth phase, showing that these cells are important for starting the hair cycle.
