Novel dissolvable microneedle patch can treat root cause of baldness: Study
China: Researchers from China have designed a preliminary microneedle patch containing cerium nanoparticles that helped in regrowing hair in a mouse model faster than a leading treatment. The study showed that the patch can combat oxidative stress and insufficient circulation -- the primary causes for baldness. The findings are published in the journal ACS Nano.
The most common hair loss condition is called androgenic alopecia, also known as male- or female- pattern baldness. Hair loss is permanent for people with the condition because there aren't enough blood vessels surrounding the follicles to deliver nutrients, cytokines and other essential molecules. In addition, an accumulation of reactive oxygen species in the scalp can trigger the untimely death of the cells that form and grow new hair.
Previously, Fangyuan Li, Jianqing Gao and colleagues determined that cerium-containing nanoparticles can mimic enzymes that remove excess reactive oxygen species, which reduced oxidative stress in liver injuries, wounds and Alzheimer's disease. However, these nanoparticles cannot cross the outermost layer of skin. So, the researchers wanted to design a minimally invasive way to deliver cerium-containing nanoparticles near hair roots deep under the skin to promote hair regrowth.
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