In balding mice artificial intelligence helps researchers design microneedle patches that restore hair.
Alopecia
Most people with substantial hair loss have the condition androgenic alopecia, also called male- or female-pattern baldness. In this condition, hair follicles can be damaged by androgens, inflammation or an overabundance of reactive oxygen species, such as oxygen free radicals. When the levels of oxygen free radicals are too high, they can overwhelm the body’s antioxidant enzymes that typically keep them in check. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is one of these enzymes, and researchers have recently created SOD mimics called “nanozymes.” But so far, those that have been reported aren’t very good at removing oxygen free radicals. So, Lina Wang, Zhiling Zhu and colleagues wanted to see whether machine learning, a form of AI, could help them design a better nanozyme for treating hair loss.
Hair Loss | Alopecia in Women
Hair loss or Alopecia can be emotionally devastating to women but understanding reasons behind hair loss can help in prevention and treatment of hair loss.
Hair loss or Alopecia can be emotionally devastating to women but understanding reasons behind hair loss can help in prevention and treatment of hair loss.
‘The study produced both, a nanozyme treatment for regenerating hair, and indicated the potential for computer-based methods for use in the design of future nanozyme therapeutics.’
The researchers chose transition-metal thiophosphate compounds as potential nanozyme candidates. They tested machine-learning models with 91 different transition-metal, phosphate and sulfate combinations, and the techniques predicted that MnPS3 would have the most powerful SOD-like ability. Next, MnPS3 nanosheets were synthesized through chemical vapor transport of manganese, red phosphorus and sulfur powders. In initial tests with human skin fibroblast cells, the nanosheets significantly reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species without causing harm. Based on these results, the team prepared MnPS3 microneedle patches and treated androgenic alopecia-affected mouse models with them. Within 13 days, the animals regenerated thicker hair strands that more densely covered their previously bald backsides than mice treated with testosterone or minoxidil.
The authors acknowledge funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province China.
Hair Loss - Symptom Evaluation
A normal hair goes through three phases, the anagen phase, the catagen phase and the telogen phase.
A normal hair goes through three phases, the anagen phase, the catagen phase and the telogen phase.
Quiz on Hair Loss
Hair Loss is fast becoming a universal problem and people are frantically trying to find solutions to control their hair loss and perhaps regain lost hair. Take this quiz and find out if you know the actual causes for hair loss and perhaps learn new information on this hotly searched topic!
Hair Loss is fast becoming a universal problem and people are frantically trying to find solutions to control their hair loss and perhaps regain lost hair. Take this quiz and find out if you know the actual causes for hair loss and perhaps learn new information on this hotly searched topic!
Hair Loss Calculator
Hairloss or Alopecia calculator for men predicts your chances of going bald depending on your inheritance and stress level. Baldness Calculator provides information on hairloss facts.
Hairloss or Alopecia calculator for men predicts your chances of going bald depending on your inheritance and stress level. Baldness Calculator provides information on hairloss facts.
