Chronic Restraint Stress Inhibits Hair Growth via Substance P Mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species in Mice

Abstract

BackgroundsSolid evidence has demonstrated that psychoemotional stress induced alteration of hair cycle through neuropeptide substance P (SP) mediated immune response, the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in brain-skin-axis regulation system remains unknown.ObjectivesThe present study aims to investigate possible mechanisms of ROS in regulation of SP-mast cell signal pathway in chronic restraint stress (CRS, a model of chronic psychoemotional stress) which induced abnormal of hair cycle.Methods and ResultsOur results have demonstrated that CRS actually altered hair cycle by inhibiting hair follicle growth in vivo, prolonging the telogen stage and delaying subsequent anagen and catagen stage. Up-regulation of SP protein expression in cutaneous peripheral nerve fibers and activation of mast cell were observed accompanied with increase of lipid peroxidation levels and reduction of the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in CRS mice skin. In addition, SP receptor antagonist (RP67580) reduced mast cell activations and lipid peroxidation levels as well as increased GSH-Px activity and normalized hair cycle. Furthermore, antioxidant Tempol (a free radical scavenger) also restored hair cycle, reduced SP protein expression and mast cell activation.ConclusionsOur study provides the first solid evidence for how ROS play a role in regulation of psychoemotional stress induced SP-Mast cell pathway which may provide a convincing rationale for antioxidant application in clinical treatment with psychological stress induced hair loss.

Chronic Stress Suppresses the Expression of Cutaneous Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenocortical Axis Elements and Melanogenesis

“…Substance P can increase the expression of CRHR1 in mast cells in human skin [57]. There is increased Substance P protein expression in cutaneous peripheral nerve fibers in chronically stressed mice [58]. The involvement of other factors that increase in response to stress in skin might underlie the differential expression of CRHR1 and CRHR2 in chronically stressed and corticosterone-treated mice.…”

Contribution of the renin–angiotensin system in chronic foot-shock induced hypertension in rats

“…weight gain in mice [22]. Food intake was also monitored in each group; data showed that stress groups consumed less than the control group (p b 0.05, Fig.…”

Substance P Stimulates Endothelin 1 Secretion via Endothelin-Converting Enzyme 1 and Promotes Melanogenesis in Human Melanocytes

“…The released SP initiates skin inflammation via induction of vasodilation, plasma extravasation, and accumulation of immune factors (Katsanos et al, 2008), as well as uncomfortable skin sensations such as numbness, itching (Andoh et al, 1998), sensitivity, and tingling (Summer et al, 2007;Wei et al, 2009). SP is also involved in stress-induced hair loss (Peters et al, 2007;Liu et al, 2013). Among the representative neuropeptides that are released under stress conditions, calcitonin gene-related peptide is known to induce skin pigmentation (Toyoda et al, 1999); however, the effect of SP on melanogenesis in humans is not known.…”