Polyamines and hair: a couple in search of perfection

Experimental Dermatology
Yuval RamotRalf Paus

Abstract

Polyamines (spermidine, putrescine and spermine) are multifunctional cationic amines that are indispensable for cellular proliferation; of key significance in the growth of rapidly regenerating tissues and tumors. Given that the hair follicle (HF) is one of the most highly proliferative organs in mammalian biology, it is not surprising that polyamines are crucial to HF growth. Indeed, growing (anagen) HFs show the highest activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-limiting enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis, while inhibition of ODC, using eflornithine, results in a decreased rate of excessive facial hair growth in vivo and inhibits human scalp hair growth in organ culture. In sheep, manipulation of dietary intake of polyamines also results in altered wool growth. Polyamine-containing nutraceuticals have therefore been proposed as promoters of human hair growth. Recent progress in polyamine research, coupled with renewed interest in the role of polyamines in skin biology, encourages one to revisit their potential roles in HF biology and highlights the need for a systematic evaluation of their mechanisms of action and clinical applications in the treatment of hair disorders. The present viewpoint essay outlines the key fro...Continue Reading

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Citations

Apr 24, 2015·Frontiers in Microbiology·Lukas SchaffererHubertus Haas
May 3, 2019·Journal of Virology·Vincent MastrodomenicoBryan C Mounce
Oct 2, 2013·Experimental Dermatology·Courtney T LukeAngela M Christiano
Jul 8, 2020·Annual Review of Nutrition·Frank MadeoGuido Kroemer
Nov 22, 2017·Histochemistry and Cell Biology·Yutaro YamamotoMasashi Shin
Aug 30, 2019·The Journal of Dermatology·Yu Ra LeeBong Chul Chung

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