The results of a new series of investigations done by scientists from John Hopkins suggest that a new experimental compound may help achieve successful hair loss, and treat skin damage that is caused by having a fat rich diet. Reporting in the journal Scientific Reports, the research team said that the compound has the potential to stop the production of glycosphingolipids (GSLs). These fats are an important component of skin and other cell membranes.
The research was done on mice where they were given foods high in fat and cholesterol. The team saw that these mice were more at a risk to have discolored hair and severe hair loss, and various skin inflammations. When these animals were given glycosphingolipids, all these symptoms were seen to reversing themselves.
The research team stresses that these promising results might not be exhibited in the same way in humans as they have in mice. They note that there is no strong evidence that it would be safe to use these compounds in humans. Still, the findings of the study do give scientists hope that there are possible ways of reversing hair loss and skin wounds.
Subroto Chatterjee, professor of pediatrics and medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine said, “Further research is needed, but our findings show promise for someday using the drug we developed for skin diseases such as psoriasis, and wounds resulting from diabetes or plastic surgery.”
While previous studies showed that GSLs are present in high numbers in the uppermost layer of skin which is the epidermis, and also in keratinocytes, which are cells that maintain the pigmentation of eyes, skin and hairs. For this research, Chatterjee and his team fed one group of these mice Western diets that are high in fat and cholesterol, and standard chow was given to the other group.
“Our findings show that a Western diet causes hair loss, hair whitening and skin inflammation in mice, and we believe a similar process occurs in men who lose hair and experience hair whitening when they eat a diet high in fat and cholesterol,” added Chatterjee.
When the experimental drug D-PDMP was given to both the groups. The group that had consumed primarily a Western diet saw their skin inflammation issues reduce significantly, and also started regaining their hair. But the research team notes that it would be better if further research is done to reconfirm the findings of the experiments. “Hopefully someday in the future this can mean faster, more effective recovery from baldness, hair whitening in aging populations and wound healing,” concludes Chatterjee.