Laminin-511 Offers Hope for Regenerating Hair Follicles in Bald People




According to a new study carried out by scientists of the Stanford University, USA, and reported in a recent issue of the Journal of Genes and Development, baldness may soon become a treatable condition. The researchers were able to identify a specific molecule that stimulates hair follicles to produce new hair, at least in mice. Successful animal experiments in hair regeneration make it possible to suggest that, in the near future, scientists will learn how to trigger an increased production of this follicle-stimulating molecule in humans, as well, which will allow for a successful re-growth of scalp hair in bald people.


The molecule in question is known under its scientific name laminin-511. This substance is able to transfer chemical messages that carry communication between different layers of subcutaneous tissues, including those of the skin and scalp. Laminin-511 stimulates the production and activity of special proteins that act as neurotransmitters, carrying chemical signals from inner and outer strata of the scalp. Successful exchange of these messages boosts hair follicles to produce and maintain healthy hair shafts and, thus, can theoretically treat hair loss in balding people. Restoration of sufficient levels of laminin-511 can also completely regenerate hair follicles in those individuals who have already lost considerable amounts of their scalp hair, the scientists suggest.

Unlike currently available treatments for hair loss, including DHT-inhibiting medications, laminin-511 is expected to completely cure baldness and rejuvenate the ability of hair roots to produce new hair.

Dr. P. Marinkovich, the lead author of the study, says that baldness is a very traumatic condition for many people, especially females. He believes that the new discovery made by his team can potentially pave the road to offering a truly revolutionary treatment for hair loss to millions of balding patients throughout the globe. Laminin-511 can also be a valid treatment for alopecia areata – a mysterious and highly unpleasant condition of patchy hair loss which strikes thousands of people every year and can lead to total baldness. In addition, the new remedy can be helpful in re-growing hair in patients who have lost their locks due to cancer chemotherapy.

A stunning discovery is that laminin-511 may not only be effective in stimulating hair re-growth, but also in regenerating other tissues of the human body, including internal organs and limbs. However, further research is needed to investigate such revolutionary possibilities of the laminin-511 molecule in humans.

In the trial, bald laboratory rodents that had received injections with isolated laminin-511 almost completely re-grew their hair within a period of just two weeks.

Experts also say that the natural production of laminin-511within the body tissues can be boosted be a healthy lifestyle and a nutritious diet that particularly emphasises a sufficient intake of B-vitamins, especially B-12, vitamin C, iodine, and zinc. Preliminary findings show that these important nutrients are better absorbed from food sources than from synthetically-produced vitamin and mineral supplements. The richest dietary sources of vitamin B-12 and zinc are fresh and canned oysters, red meats, as well as other animal products and seafood. Iodine is found in huge quantities in kelp and similar sea vegetables, while natural vitamin C can be obtained from citric fruits, cherries, bell peppers, and a variety of other fresh fruits and vegetables.

Robin Makris

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Posted on August 7, 2008 
Filed Under Hair Loss News and Statistics, Hair Loss Treatments

Comments

2 Responses to “Laminin-511 Offers Hope for Regenerating Hair Follicles in Bald People”

  1. Adriano Ferreira Cardoso on December 24th, 2008 4:15 am

    Eu quero saber quando ficara pronto o tratamento com o laminina-511

  2. geno on April 8th, 2009 11:32 pm

    When will this be available through a physican. Are these treatments available now? If so, where?

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