TLDR The study found that certain mutations in the vitamin D receptor can cause rickets and potentially affect hair growth.
The study investigated the function of the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and its relationship with alopecia using adenovirus vectors (AdVs). The researchers generated genetically modified rats with different VDR mutations and used three systems to evaluate the VDRs: a split luciferase system to examine ligand-binding ability, investigation of ligand-dependent nuclear translocation in HaCaT-VDR-KO cells, and examination of CYP24A1 transcription induction by ligand addition using qPCR. The study found that mutations in the VDR-RXR interaction domain can result in alopecia, while mutations in the ligand-binding domain do not. The study concluded that AdVs expressing VDR could be a promising tool for elucidating VDR functions, particularly in relation to alopecia.
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May 2010 in “Journal of Cellular Physiology” Mice without Vitamin D receptors have hair growth problems because of issues in the hedgehog signaling pathway.
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October 2008 in “Endocrine reviews” Mice without the vitamin D receptor have bone issues and other health problems, suggesting vitamin D is important for preventing various diseases in humans.
October 2023 in “Scientific Reports” Gene therapy helped rats with a specific type of rickets grow hair without severe inflammation.
January 2025 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” Non-liganded Vitamin D Receptor is crucial for healthy skin and hair.
April 2023 in “Research Square (Research Square)” Gene therapy with a vitamin D receptor gene improved hair growth in rats with a type of rickets-related baldness.
November 2023 in “Biomolecules” The research showed that Vitamin D and its receptor are important for healthy bones and normal hair and skin in rats.
September 2023 in “Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology” Higher SHBG levels are linked to less severe hair loss in women, but vitamin D levels don't seem to affect hair loss.
