Glutathione, Glutathione S-Transferase and Reactive Oxygen Species of Human Scalp Sebaceous Glands in Male Pattern Baldness

Abstract

We investigated the contribution of reactive oxygen species to the development of sebaceous gland hyperplasia and the characteristics of the glutathione S-transferase/glutathione system in male pattern baldness. Glutathione S-transferase, glutathione, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were determined in sebaceous gland-enriched scalp skin of men affected by male pattern baldness and were subjected to hair autotransplantation. In comparison with the hairy occipital-donor areas, the following results were obtained in alopecic frontoparietal samples: glutathione S-transferase-specific activity increased 7-fold (p < 0.001); enzyme affinity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene decreased 2-fold (p = 0.009); glutathione content decreased 2.5-fold (p = 0.017); and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances increased 2-fold (p = 0.006). Chromatofocusing analysis, bromosulfophthalein IC50 values, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry with polyclonal antibodies raised against glutathione S-transferases alpha, mu, and pi demonstrated the presence of alpha, pi, and probably the 5.8 alpha isoenzymes in the sebaceous gland. These results support the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species are involved in the pathogenesis of sebaceous gland hyperplasia in male pattern baldness.

Glutathione metabolism is impaired in vitro by thallium(III) hydroxide

“…Given that Tl poisoning causes in humans alopecia, cardiomyopathy, nephrotoxicity and neurodegeneration, all pathologies where misbalances in GSH metabolism have been described (Giralt et al, 1996;Bartfay and Bartfay, 2000;Martin et al, 2000;Bhatia et al, 2003;Kedziora-Kornatowska et al, 2003), we investigated whether Tl(OH) 3 , the main Tl 3+ specie in water solutions could interfere with glutathione metabolism. Experiments were performed using purified GSH, GPx and GR, as well as rat brain cytosolic fractions as a source of GSH and enzymes.…”

The walking dead: sequential nuclear and organelle destruction during hair development

“…ROS is known to induce cell biology changes within the hair follicle. For example, studies have linked an imbalance of natural antioxidant defences and ROS production during ageing to scalp damage, poorer hair quality, greying and balding . Conversely, ROS is involved in driving proliferation and metabolism .…”

Morphological and morphometric study of the androgenetic alopecic scalp using two- and three-dimensional analysis comparing regional differences

“…The sebaceous gland was highly developed in the balding area (Figs , , a, d). In AGA, the sebaceous glands are enlarged and overproduce sebum . The 3D reconstruction was found to be an effective method to obtain valuable information about the FUs in the three scalp regions.…”