TLDR Hair follicle stem cells may help treat strokes by improving brain recovery.
The study investigated the potential of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) in treating ischaemic stroke using a rat model. HFSCs were intravenously administered to rats with induced middle cerebral artery ischaemia/reperfusion. The results showed that HFSCs migrated to the penumbra, expressed neuron-specific markers, reduced infarct volume, and promoted neurological recovery. These findings suggested that HFSC transplantation had therapeutic potential for ischaemic stroke and warranted further investigation for clinical development.
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.
