Aging processes stopped research could stop hair loss and wrinkling

Are natural processes of aging undone?

Every elderly person certainly knows these problems: At age, the skin becomes wrinkled and in men, more and more hair falls out. Normally, these processes are typical hallmarks of aging, but researchers have now succeeded in reversing these signs.

The researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham found in their current study that the typical signs of aging can be reversed. Thus, age-related hair loss and wrinkled skin may soon be no longer a problem for aging people. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Cell Death & Disease".

As we age, we get wrinkles and the hair becomes thinner. Physicians are now apparently able to reverse these typical signs of aging. (Image: Syda Productions / fotolia.com)

Researchers are reversing signs of aging in mice

In a mouse model, researchers have for the first time succeeded in reversing the signs of aging. When the mice were induced to have a mutation leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, the animals developed wrinkled skin and extensive visible hair loss within just a few weeks. However, when mitochondrial function was restored by the medics turning off the gene responsible for mitochondrial dysfunction, the smooth skin of the animals returned and the fur regrowed. The mouse was then no longer distinguishable from a healthy mouse of the same age, explain the scientists.

During aging, a decrease in mitochondrial function occurs

Importantly, the mutation occurs in a gene that affects mitochondrial function. Numerous mitochondria in cells produce 90 percent of the chemical energy that cells need to survive, say the experts. In humans, a decrease in mitochondrial function occurs during aging. Mitochondrial dysfunction can cause age-related diseases. Depletion of DNA in mitochondria is also associated with human mitochondrial diseases, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, age-related neurological disorders and cancer, experts explain-

Reversal of the mutation resulted in smoother skin and hair growth

The mutation in the mouse model was induced by adding the antibiotic doxycycline to the diet or drinking water. This causes a so-called depletion of mitochondrial DNA, as the enzyme becomes inactive for replicating the DNA. After a few weeks, the mice developed gray hair, reduced hair density, hair loss, slowed movements and lethargy. These changes were reminiscent of natural aging. The wrinkled skin was observed four to eight weeks after induction of the mutation, and the females developed stronger skin folds than the male rats. Reversing the mutation reversed hair loss and wrinkled skin.

What effect did the mutation have on the animals??

The skin of induced mutant mice showed an increased number of skin cells, an abnormal thickening of the outer skin layer, dysfunctional hair follicles and increased inflammation, which seemed to contribute to skin pathology, explain the physicians. These effects are similar to the so-called extrinsic aging of the skin in humans. In addition, mice with depleted mitochondrial DNA also displayed altered expression of four age-associated markers in cells.

There were disorders in the balance of the skin

In addition, the skin also showed disturbances in the balance between matrix metalloproteinase enzymes and their tissue-specific inhibitor - a balance of these two is necessary to maintain the collagen fibers in the skin, which prevent wrinkles, explain the researchers. The mitochondria of induced mutation mice had reduced levels of mitochondrial DNA, altered mitochondrial gene expression and instability of the large complexes in mitochondria involved in oxidative phosphorylation.

Mitochondria: Reversible regulators of skin aging and hair loss

Reversal of the mutation restored mitochondrial function as well as skin and hair pathology. This showed that mitochondria are reversible regulators of skin aging and hair loss, study author Dr. Keshav Singh from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in a press release.

Further research is needed

Further experiments are now required to determine if phenotypic changes in other organs can also be reversed by restoring mitochondrial DNA. (As)