Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
03/26/2012
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
Problem in the stem cells
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania (USA) announced the discovery that male pattern baldness was caused by defects in stem cells that produce new hairs.
Although the hair areas without experiencing the same number of stem cells responsible for the wires normal areas of the scalp, there are fewer in the bald area more mature stem cells, progenitor cells calls.
Now, George Cotsarellis and his colleagues published a new study say where the problem is actually in two genes, activated when the hair starts to fall.
Problem in the genes
According to this new study, the early hair loss coincides with a rise in levels of a protein called prostaglandin D synthase.
This increase occurs in the cells of hair follicles located in bald areas of scalp.
The hair follicles in bald areas still exist, but they become so small they seem invisible, leading to the appearance of baldness.
This inhibition of hair growth would be triggered when the protein binds to a receptor in the cells of hair follicles.
"Essentially, we show that prostaglandin increases the protein in bald scalp of men and inhibits hair growth. Then we identify a target for the treatment of male pattern baldness," says George Cotsarellis always optimistic.
Cure for baldness?
Thus, the group said, finding a compound that reactivate this receptor, it may be possible to cure baldness.
"The next step is to search for compounds that affect this receptor, and also find out whether blocking this receptor could reverse baldness or just prevent it. This is an issue that may take a while to be answered," he says.
The scientist says that many drugs that follow the same course of action have been identified, with some already in clinical testing phase.
So all those who are bald to do for now is wait for the results of these tests - or the next "discovery of a cure for baldness" Dr. Cotsarellis.
Source: Journal of Health
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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.