February 2026 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” In this study, the researchers found that cholinergic signaling via M4 muscarinic receptors influences hair growth, with enhanced elongation observed upon activation with bethanechol, highlighting its potential role in hair biology using mouse models.
This study found that vinblastine's metabolites show binding affinities for receptors linked to nausea and alopecia, suggesting potential changes to its structure could minimize these side effects during chemotherapy.
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June 2006 in “Experimental dermatology” In this study, researchers identified similar presence of various nicotinic and muscarinic AChRs in lesional and normal epidermis, suggesting that tobacco-delivered nicotine may exacerbate acne inversa by interacting with endogenously produced acetylcholine.
This study observed that stimulating the cholinergic system via muscarinic receptors in dermal papilla cells and other hair-related tissues promoted hair growth, with mechanisms involving the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathways in cell cultures and increased hair shaft elongation in mouse vibrissae treated with bethanechol.
June 2025 in “Molecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids” In this study, researchers identified a specific DNA aptamer, Ap.OR2AT4.17, that effectively prolonged hair growth and increased hair shaft elongation in organ-cultured human hair follicles by targeting the olfactory receptor OR2AT4. This finding suggests the aptamer's potential as a novel therapy for hair loss disorders.