baldness
Cultural evolution as a possible triggering or causative factor of common baldness.

Yanez Soler AJ.

Graduate in Chemistry Studies, Diploma in Advanced Studies, Biotechnology Applied to Health Science, c/o Dos de Mayo 37, E03600 Elda Alicante, Spain. arm2003_7 hotmail.com

Common baldness (alopecia) increasingly affects a higher number of individuals at earlier ages, independently of gender. One of the reasons could be lack of knowledge concerning its etiology. The human being has evolved to become a naked monkey, although there is no apparent reason to continue the evolutionary process up to becoming a bald monkey. According to this theory, common baldness is a degenerative process derived from certain inadequate cultural practices, such as excessive hair cutting or certain types of haircuts that prevent contact among hairs themselves and limit outside contact in ways that would alleviate balding. Blocking the flow of sebum towards the base of the hair follicle - and so interfering with the arrival of the stem cells to the dermal papilla with consequent hair miniaturization - ends up being the first negative physiological effect derived from certain cultural habits. As time goes by, other mechanisms become altered, which leads to a less and less reversibility of the process.

Online pharmacy ref source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15142661&dopt=Abstract baldness, alopecia, hair loss



baldness
DNA determination of human hair bulbs in normal and androgenetic alopecia.

Villena A, Alcaraz MV, Perez de Vargas I.

Department of Normal and Pathological Morphology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaga, Spain.

We carried out a cytophotometric study of the DNA content of matrix cells from normal hair follicles and those affected by androgenetic alopecia (early and established baldness), using the Feulgen technique. We thereby obtained a 2C reference value from lymphocyte nuclei from normal skin, from which we established a 2C-4C and 4C DNA content. The results obtained showed 71.75% of matrix cells in normal scalp to have a 2C content, while the remaining 28.25% was distributed between the values of 2C-4C and 4C. However, in early baldness, the number of 2C cells dropped to 48%, with a notable increase in cell populations with a 2C-4C and 4C content, which varied from 29.45% and 22.55% respectively. Finally, in established baldness, the 2C values decreased to as low as 29.56%, with the percentage of cells with a 2C-4C content reaching 38.71% and those of 4C, 31.73%.

Online pharmacy ref source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7798390&dopt=Abstract baldness, alopecia, hair loss



baldness
Polycystic ovaries and premature male pattern baldness are associated with one allele of the steroid metabolism gene CYP17.

Carey AH, Waterworth D, Patel K, White D, Little J, Novelli P, Franks S, Williamson R.

Department of Molecular Genetics, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine, London, UK.

Fourteen Caucasian families with 81 affected individuals have been assessed in which polycystic ovaries/male pattern baldness (PCO/MPB) segregates as an autosomal dominant phenotype (1). The gene CYP17, coding for P450c17 alpha (17 alpha-hydroxylase; 17/20 lyase) on chromosome 10q24.3 is the rate-limiting step in androgen biosynthesis. We have identified a new single base change in the 5' promoter region of CYP17 by heteroduplex analysis. This creates an additional SP1-type (CCACC box) promoter site, which may cause increased expression. This base change also creates a recognition site for the restriction enzyme MspA1 allowing a simple screening procedure. There is a significant association between the presence of this base change (A2) and the affected state for consecutively identified Caucasian women with PCO as compared either to consecutively matched controls (P = 0.03) with an odds ratio for those with at least one A2 allele of 3.57, or to a random population (P = 0.02) with an odds ratio of 2.50. Within the fourteen families, members with PCO or MPB have a significant association with the occurrence of at least one A2 allele compared to their normal relatives, with an odds ratio of 2.20 (P = 0.05). The base change does not cosegregate with the affected phenotype within the families showing association, demonstrating that this mutation of CYP17 does not cause PCO/MPB. Variation in the A2 allele of the CYP17 gene is a significant factor modifying the expression of PCO/MPB in families where it has been demonstrated to segregate as a single gene disorder, but it is excluded as the primary genetic defect.

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baldness
Bilateral temporoparietal flaps in the treatment of male baldness.

Ezaki T, Kasori Y.

Ezaki Clinic, Tokyo, Japan.

This article presents the bilateral temporoparietal flap method for treating frontal baldness. In this procedure symmetrical flaps 2.0-3.0 cm wide are moved from the hairy temporoparietal region to the frontal part of the head and joined in the middle. The surgery can be done simply with no delays and under local anesthesia. The hair on both flaps grows upward, but it covers the top of the head to give it a thick feeling.

Online pharmacy ref source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7900555&dopt=Abstract baldness, alopecia, hair loss



baldness
Cell kinetics of anagen scalp hairs under physiological and pathological conditions.

Kiesewetter F, Schell H.

Department of Dermatology, University of Erlangen, FRG.

The cell kinetics of anagen scalp hair bulbs taken by punch biopsies from healthy male volunteers (n = 50) were determined at defined bulbar hair segments using microdissection and DNA flow cytometry. The highest proliferative activity (S phase) was measured within the lower most bulbar segment (14.0%) but decreased to the Auber's segment (7.6%) and to the isthmus segment (5.9%). The results support histoautoradiographic data demonstrating most of the proliferative activity in the hair bulb below the Auber's level [1]. Furthermore, cell kinetic data of dissected anagen hair bulbs segmented at Auber's level from an androgen-sensitive scalp area were studied in male pattern baldness (n = 15, Hamilton IV) and hirsutism (n = 13). The results revealed a significant increase of S phase cells in male pattern baldness (8.9%) compared to healthy males (n = 10, 7.9%) as well as in hirsutism (10.2%) compared to healthy females (n = 10, 7.5%). In hirsutism the percentages of S phase cells ran parallel to the plasma levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate whereas no correlation to testosterone could be proved. Similar, 6 hypothyroid and 6 hyperthyroid patients were studied. In hyperthyroidism an increase of S phase values (10.3%) was found, while it decreased in hypothyroidism (6.1%). A correlation between the height of S phase and plasma triiodothyronine level was noted. Our studies demonstrate that DNA flow cytometry is a suitable method for the evaluation of physiological or hormonal influences on cell cycle kinetics of human anagen hair bulbs in vivo.

Online pharmacy ref source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8003324&dopt=Abstract baldness, alopecia, hair loss