Latest news with #SonicHedgehog
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Understanding cell signals could change the way hair loss is treated, study finds
A study titled 'Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Hair Follicle Regeneration and Potential Therapeutic Strategies' published in Stem Cell Research & Therapy (2025) explains how hair loss, especially androgenetic alopecia (AGA), is caused by problems in the body's natural hair growth signals -- not just hormones or ageing. The review focuses on five important biological pathways -- Wnt/β-catenin, Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), BMP, Notch, and AKT/MAPK that help control when hair grows, falls and regrows. Study highlights The study found that in people living with AGA, the signals that help hair grow (like Wnt and Shh) are blocked, while signals that stop growth (like BMP and TGF-β) are more active. This leads to smaller, weaker hair follicles that stop producing hair over time. 'These signals work together like a team,' Debraj Shome, co-founder and director at The Esthetic Clinics and Depti Bellani, senior manager medical affairs and research at QR678 and lead authors of the study explain. 'To fix the problem, we need to focus on all of them -- not just one.' Current treatments like minoxidil (topical solution that works by increasing blood flow to the scalp and extending the hair's growth phase) and finasteride (oral medication that reduces the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that contributes to hair follicle miniaturisation and hair loss) can slow down hair loss or help with some regrowth, but they do not treat the real reason why follicles stop working. The study highlights new types of treatments that are being tested, such as small molecules that can restart growth signals, stem cell therapy and gene editing. Formulations such as QR678, developed by the authors' research team, are also part of this new approach. Shift in hair loss treatment Experts say this could mark a big shift in how hair loss is treated. Instead of just covering up the symptoms, future treatments may be able to restart the hair follicle's natural growth process. However, the study also warns that activating these signals too much, especially Wnt or AKT -- can be risky and must be done carefully. With over 50% of men and 25% of women affected by AGA by the age of 50, the authors say it's time to look at hair loss not just as a cosmetic problem, but as a health issue that can be treated by understanding how the body's regenerative systems work. 'This isn't just about growing hair,' they said. 'It's about waking up the body's natural repair systems and helping hair follicles work the way they're meant to.' The authors also stress the importance of collaboration across medical specialties to move this research forward. Since hair loss is linked to hormonal changes, immune responses, and genetic factors, a combined approach involving dermatologists, endocrinologists, geneticists, and regenerative medicine experts is essential. 'Personalised treatment plans based on each person's biological profile will likely give better results,' the authors note. They add that wider clinical trials, safety studies and shared research efforts will be key to turning these scientific findings into real, effective therapies for patients. Various forms of hair loss and regenerative medicine The study also points out that other forms of hair loss, such as scarring alopecia, autoimmune types like alopecia areata and hair loss caused by chemotherapy are linked to similar problems in the body's regenerative signalling systems. This suggests that the same scientific approach could help treat a wider range of hair loss conditions. The authors say that the hair follicle is more than just a cosmetic structure, it functions like a mini-organ and offers valuable insight into how tissues heal, how the immune system protects certain cells, and how stem cells behave. By studying hair follicles, researchers can also learn more about the body's broader ability to repair itself, making hair loss an important area of focus in regenerative medicine.
Rudaw Net
01-07-2025
- Health
- Rudaw Net
Baby born with two faces dies shortly after birth in Erbil
Also in Kurdistan UNAMI condemns 'attack' on Yazidi IDP Camp in Duhok, urges probe Peshmerga unification enters final phase, set for completion by year-end: Advisor Kurdistan parliament to enter summer recess despite political stalemate Erbil emergency water project enters testing phase A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A baby born with two faces passed away just one hour after birth on Tuesday in Erbil, due to a rare and fatal congenital condition, according to medical officials at Newroz Hospital. The baby, one of premature twins delivered at seven months of gestation, suffered from Diprosopus, a rare disorder in which parts or all of the face are duplicated on a single head. The second twin survived and remains in stable condition. The 17-year-old mother and 20-year-old father, who are first cousins, were expecting twins but were unaware of any abnormalities prior to delivery. 'It was not known that the baby had two faces, it was just known that they were twins, that is all. We were planning on naming them Lan and Lina,' the father told Rudaw. He also mentioned his wife is the daughter of his uncle from the father's side. According to the father, his wife experienced severe pain in her seventh month of pregnancy. As her condition worsened and posed risks to both her and the babies, doctors decided to proceed with an emergency C-section. 'One of the twins died, and thankfully, the other survived,' he added. Dr. Ali Aswad, head of the neonatal intensive care unit at Newroz Hospital, confirmed that the infant with Diprosopus passed away approximately one hour after birth. A general surgery specialist reported that the mother is recovering well following the operation. Diprosopus, also known as craniofacial duplication, is an exceptionally rare congenital condition, occurring in approximately 1 in 180,000 to 15 million live births, according to the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). The disorder results from abnormal activity of the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) protein, which plays a vital role in facial development during early embryogenesis. While Diprosopus can appear similar to conjoined twinning, it arises from errors in facial patterning rather than the incomplete separation of embryos. Most affected infants are stillborn or die shortly after birth due to associated anomalies, particularly involving the brain, heart, and lungs. Though the couple are first cousins, experts stress that the overall risk of serious birth defects in children of cousin marriages remains relatively low - about 4 to 6 percent, compared to 2 to 3 percent in the general population. However, for extremely rare and severe conditions like Diprosopus, even a slight increase in genetic risk can have significant consequences.
