TLDR Short telomeres may cause symptoms like hair loss and osteoporosis, offering insights into aging.
The document analyzed segmental progeroid syndromes, which mimic accelerated aging, and proposed that short telomeres might cause similar symptoms across different syndromes. Key findings included that short telomeres were linked to a group of symptoms such as alopecia, osteoporosis, and fingernail atrophy. Fingernail atrophy in these syndromes was similar to the natural slowing of nail growth seen in normal aging, suggesting it could be a marker of replicative aging in keratinocyte stem cells. Alopecia and reduced hair diameter were found to parallel the nail growth results. Osteoporosis in Dyskeratosis Congenita was similar to age-related osteoporosis, unlike in other progerias. Additionally, gray hair was associated with short telomeres and possibly reactive oxygen species. These findings led to predictions about aging pathways, suggesting that studying these syndromes could provide insights into normal aging processes.
152 citations
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December 2003 in “Micron” As people age, their hair follicles produce less pigment, leading to gray and white hair, due to factors like reduced enzyme activity and damage to melanocyte DNA.
158 citations
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May 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Hair growth is influenced by dynamic changes in hair follicle cells, which could help treat hair loss.
85 citations
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July 2002 in “Pigment Cell Research” The article concludes that while we understand a lot about how melanocytes age and how this can prevent cancer, there are still unanswered questions about certain pathways and genes involved.
234 citations
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February 2001 in “British Journal of Dermatology” FPHL affects hair density and diameter, causing visible hair loss in older women.
1 citations
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March 2022 in “IntechOpen eBooks” Aging reduces skin stem cell function, leading to changes like hair loss and slower wound healing.
5 citations
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January 2023 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” Hair follicles could be used to noninvasively monitor our body's internal clock and help identify risks for related diseases.
3 citations
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October 2007 in “Expert Review of Dermatology” Hair ages due to various factors and treatments like minoxidil and finasteride can help, but more research and better public awareness are needed.
80 citations
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April 2006 in “Clinical Interventions in Aging” Minoxidil and Finasteride are effective for male baldness; more research is needed for hair aging treatments.
1 citations
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September 2013 in “Elsevier eBooks” Hair ages and thins due to factors like inflammation and stress, and treatments like antioxidants and hormones might improve hair health.
