Protein Causes of Man Baldness

Researchers have identified a protein that is responsible for male baldness. Thus expected to be found an effective treatment for baldness in men. Male baldness has affected 8 out of 10 men and causes hair follicles to shrink and produce microscopic hairs, which grow for shorter duration than normal hair.

"Often we see the baldness in men when the hair follicles are still there. So specialist concluded that, the existence of male baldness is caused due to the lack of a chemical compound for hair growth or the presence of inhibitors," said Dr. George Cotsarelis, a dermatology professor of Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania as reported by FoxNewsHealth, Thursday (03/22/2012).

By using microrays, tissue samples taken from the scalp in men suffering from baldness (alopecia androgenetic) and measured the levels of different genes. Samples taken from two spots on the scalp and bald spots with hair. The researchers found a bald spot has a high level of abnormal proteins called Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), which is almost three times the amount present in the area of ​​scalp with hair. Then the researchers identified the protein, and further functional tests to study the effects of PGD2 in rat hair and hair follicles that grow in the laboratory.

"The protein can decrease the growth of hair. Proteins to inhibit hair growth, so that must be bound to the receptor (GPR44). Receptors are targets for future treatments to combat the baldness," says Dr. Cotsarelis.

"The effects of inhibition of PGD2 acts through the receptor, so what to do is block the receptor," the researchers said.

Some of the compounds targeted at the GPR44 receptor is already underway in other laboratories to treat other health problems like asthma. In addition to regulating hair growth, prostaglandins also control cell growth, as well as the constriction and dilation of smooth muscle tissue. The researchers believe that, with the results of new research means a topical treatment for male pattern baldness may soon be available.

"Our study is targeted to find a solution treatment of male pattern baldness. Since almost all men with a concomitant increase in age has begun to experience pattern baldness," says Dr. Cotsarelis.