Roles of gut microbiota in androgenetic alopecia: insights from Mendelian randomization analysis

Front Microbiol. 2024 Apr 2:15:1360445. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1360445. eCollection 2024.
Roles of gut microbiota in androgenetic alopecia: insights from Mendelian randomization analysis
Haijing Fu 1, Tianyi Xu 1, Wumei Zhao 1, Leiwei Jiang 2, Shijun Shan 1 3

Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of androgen-associated hair loss. Previous studies have indicated an association between the gut microbiota and AGA. To delve deeper, we executed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the potential causal relationship between the gut microbiota and AGA.

Methods: A two-sample MR investigation was utilized to delve into the intricate interplay between gut microbiota and AGA. Information regarding 211 gut microbial taxa was sourced from the MiBioGen consortium. The summary statistics of the genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for AGA were obtained from the FinnGen biobank, which included 195 cases and 201,019 controls. Various analytical approaches, including Inverse Variance Weighting (IVW), Weighted Median, MR-Egger, Weighted Mode, and Simple Mode were employed to evaluate the causal impact of gut microbiota on AGA. Sensitivity analyses were subsequently conducted to affirm the robustness of the findings.

Results: A two-sample MR investigation unveiled the genus Olsenella, genus Ruminococcaceae UCG-004, and genus Ruminococcaceae UCG-010 were identified as risk factors associated with AGA. In contrast, the family Acidaminococcaceae and genus Anaerofilum, along with the genus Ruminiclostridium 9, demonstrated a protective effect. The sensitivity analyses provided additional assurance that the findings of the current study were less susceptible to the influence of confounding variables and biases.

Conclusion: The MR study has established a link between specific gut microbiota and AGA, offering evidence for the identification of more precisely targeted probiotics. This discovery has the potential to aid in the prevention, control, and reversal of AGA progression.

Keywords: Mendelian randomization; androgenetic alopecia; causal relationship; genetic; gut microbiota.

long form:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11018880/

Interesting. With such a wide variety of foods that we eat it seems hard to know which ones help hair growth and which ones hinder it. Eating more fermented foods can't hurt if it has a goodly amount of the right bacteria.

shaftless wrote:Interesting. With such a wide variety of foods that we eat it seems hard to know which ones help hair growth and which ones hinder it. Eating more fermented foods can't hurt if it has a goodly amount of the right bacteria.

I have a collection of strains that at least in mice work for hair growth. I'll mention what these are tomorrow sometime, when there's more time.

One of those by the way is the featured strain in the "yogurt thread" taking about gut restoration with one probiotic. Two different strains of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and ATCC PTA 6475.

Very interested in this!!!!

Atlas wrote:Very interested in this!!!!

Keep in mind that probiotics purchased commercially often deteriorate and generally have significantly lower bacterial counts than 'advertised.'

So with that in mind, culturing your own by way of a yogurt maker using optimal temperature and incubation times is key to doubling the bacterial counts every hour until that particular strain reaches its zenith before diminishing returns beyond a certain incubation time.

"In animal studies, supplementing mice with the probiotic, Lactobacillus reuteri, led to an increased number of hairs in the anagen (growth) phase, as well as an increase of subcuticular hair follicles. Additionally, there was an increased sebocyte count, a higher sebocyte proliferation index, and a more acidic tissue pH, compared to mice in the control group.7 These changes were associated with improved hair growth and luster. The authors suggest an anti-inflammatory effect, as L. reuteri was found to upregulate the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, and downregulate the inflammatory cytokine, IL-17.7 In addition, another study found supplementation with Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris H61 to be associated with reduced hair loss in mice relative to control.8 Here, the authors suggest a potential immunomodulatory effect of the lactococcal strain since the probiotic group was found to produce more Th1-associated cytokines (IL-12 and interferon gamma) than the control group."

"Here, we report for the first time that EVs derived from a human scalp isolate of L. holzapfelii can induce hair growth."

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35723343/


"In the three kinds of scalp situations (dandruff, oil secretion, and hair volume), the increased accumulation of L. paracasei was observed in the three normal subgroups (Supplementary Figs. 1A, C, and E) and in the subgroup with less hair (Supplementary Fig. 1F) after the use of heat-killed GMNL-653 shampoo. The abundance of M. restricta was not different among all subjects (Fig. 8E) but statistically decreased in the subgroup of high dandruff after the use of heat-killed GMNL-653 shampoo (Supplementary Fig. 1B). In addition, a decrease in C. acnes in the high dandruff subgroup and normal subgroups of oil and hair (Supplementary Figs. 1B, C, and E) and an increase in M. globosa in the normal subgroups of dandruff, oil, and hair (Supplementary Figs. 1A, C, and E) were observed regardless of using control or heat-killed GMNL-653 shampoo. However, the abundance of C. acnes in the subgroups of normal dandruff, high oil, and less hair (Supplementary Figs. 1A, 1D, and 1F) and the abundance of M. globosa in the three weak subgroups of high dandruff, high oil, and less hair (Supplementary Figs. 1B, D, and F) showed no statistical difference after the use of heat-killed GMNL-653 shampoo. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of heat-killed GMNL-653 shampoo on human scalp health may be related to the changes of scalp microbiota."

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37120517/

"Oral Administration of Lactilactobacillus curvatus LB-P9 Promotes Hair Regeneration in Mice"

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10789551/

Kimchi and Cheonggukjang Probiotics as a Functional Food Improve Androgenetic Alopecia?

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6920077/

Awesome! Thanks a lot CS. Besides L. reuteri the other strains are not really purchasable. Do you have any ideas/sources?

Thank you!

Atlas wrote:Awesome! Thanks a lot CS. Besides L. reuteri the other strains are not really purchasable. Do you have any ideas/sources?

Thank you!

Ever since the "Yogurt thread"...(shown here below).....

https://immortalhair.forumotion.com/t13627-is-this-beneficial-bacterial-strain-the-piece-de-resistance

Myself and a few others that I know have jumped onto the "yogurt bandwagon" and so far, I'm happy with how it is going.

To clarify a typo, I believe the doubling time is every 3 hours, not every hour, and since typically store-bought yogurts are fermented for only 4 hours, the ideal bacterial count is never going to happen. Also, the temperatures for each strain vary, some like it hot, others like it human body temperature. Many of the incubation times are closure to 36-hours for many of these beneficial strains.

L. Reuteri is definitely a keystone microbe, and its effects are palpable. About 60 minutes following the ingestion of this...there was an absolute flood of oxytocin.

It does so much more than that, for example:

Mice without L. reuteri got old and fat, lost fur, lost muscle and bone density, lost interest in sex, and lost
immune protection. L. reuteri–receiving mice stayed slender, had thick fur, maintained youthful muscle and bone density,
maintained youthful immunity, and continued to be sexually active—they stayed young until death.

A growing list of these phenomena is corroborated by human experiences. People are witnessing these effects seen in the experimental models reproduced in many people: thicker skin, reduction in skin wrinkles, accelerated healing, restoration of youthful muscle and strength, increased libido. And, because mice cannot tell us how they feel, people consuming this L. reuteri–rich yogurt are reporting additional effects such as deeper sleep with vivid dreams, reduced appetite, greater optimism, and less social anxiety, effects likely resulting from the oxytocin boost caused by the bacteria.

This is just one bacterial species, nearly vanished from the microbiomes of modern people, that when restored yields astounding effects. L. reuteri illustrates the power of purposeful cultivation of the human microbiome,

So the big question is what other unknown microbes have we lost and, with them, the health promoting, allergy-preventing, weight-managing, emotional and social benefits they provide?

Based on Dr. Davis info via Super Gut (his book).

Synbiotic 365

This probiotic contains 20 billion CFUs of the following strains: L. rhamnosus GG, L. reuteri UALre-16 (also designated NCIMB 30242), L. gasseri BNR17, which are keystone species, and a number of other important strains. It also contains Saccharomyces boulardii, a yeast that provides an additional advantage in rebuilding a microbiome.

Unitednaturals.com
Ther-Biotic Synbiotic

This product has 50 billion CFUs per capsule of seven strains, many of which are on our list of keystone microbes, such as L. rhamnosus GG and L. reuteri UALre-16 (also designated NCIMB 30242). It is available from Klaire Labs or through selected health-care practitioners. You can make yogurt with this product.
Klaire.com

Vital Flora

Vital Flora from Vital Planet takes a different approach: include as many species and strains as possible at high counts. Vital Flora accordingly contains 60 billion CFUs of 60 strains, consistent with cofounder Brenda Watson’s (cofounder of Renew Life, also) philosophy of cultivating species diversity.

VitalPlanet.com

Sugar Shift Noted microbiologist Dr. Raul Cano developed this collection of unusual species on the basis of his research into synergistic “guilds” of species that yield greater-than-expected levels of various metabolites. Preliminary
experience suggests this collection provides important benefits that include reduction of blood sugar. Strains are, unfortunately, not specified on the label, but the application of the guild effect puts this preparation at the forefront of the science. You can make yogurt with this product.

Biotiquest.com

Jarro-Dophilus EPS Digestive Probiotic The mix of species and strains in this product, including some potentially
keystone strains, may make it especially helpful for managing mood and emotional health. Each capsule provides only 5 billion CFUs, so you can make a tasty yogurt with this product to increase bacterial counts.

Jarrow.com

DS-01 Daily Synbiotic

This is an interesting probiotic in that there is a lot of science behind the preparation of over twenty species/strains with a total count of 53.6 billion.

Seed Health has created a capsule that survives passage through the small bowel and purportedly releases into the colon, but that, in my view, is a downside because for our SIBO-eradication purposes we want release into
the small intestine. Should you take this probiotic, I would remove the external capsule and take only the internal capsule. Also, only some strain designations are recognizable, and many are proprietary. Nonetheless, Seed is an interesting addition to the mix of choices.

Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, ATCC PTA 6475

The BioGaia Gastrus tablets are available through Amazon as well as BioGaia’s US distributor Everidis. Likewise, Osfortis capsules with the 6475 strain alone are available through the same routes.

Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17


Bacillus coagulans GBI-30,6086

B. coagulans is available as the Digestive Advantage

Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175
This combination of species, which lifts mood and reduces anxiety, is available from the manufacturer, Innovix Labs, as well as Life Extension.

Lactobacillus casei Shirota
This strain, which helps increase immunity against viral illnesses, increases mental clarity, and provides deep sleep for some people (especially in combination with L. reuteri), is available as a commercial drinkable product called Yakult.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
L. rhamnosus GG strain has proven, time and again, superior to other strains of L. rhamnosus for such effects as recovery from diarrhea after a course of antibiotics or for antifungal effects.

L. rhamnosus GG is commercially available as the Culturelle product, with 20 billion CFUs per capsule, at major retailers
Lactobacillus plantarum 299v
L. plantarum is another interesting probiotic species that has been shown to reduce the symptoms of bloating, abdominal discomfort, and bowel frequency in people with irritable bowel syndrome (and likely SIBO).

Then finally, last but not least is Akkermansia, which is priced around $160–$200 per one-month.
Pendulumlife.com

However, I found a much cheaper resource for Akkermansia. Plus there are ways to enhance its proliferation, such as
supplements (think polyphenols) some of us already use for hair health. The brand I use is called Vitamatic and I buy in bulk, it's significantly cheaper than the premium product, I pay something like 12 dollars a bottle.

The reason is that Akkermansia feeds on mucus (which can be a problem, unless we feed it something else, like polyphenols).

That said, the pricier form also contains
• Akkermansia muciniphila WB-STR-0001
• Clostridium beijerinckii WB-STR-0005
• Clostridium butyricum WB-STR-0006
• Eubacterium hallii WB-STR-0008
• Bifidobacterium infantis 100

So if one has zero Akkermansia, they might consider using the premium and expensive product.

Finally the book, "Super Gut" by Dr. William Davis (can also watch youtube videos) to get his viewpoints on keystone strains and products to buy.

I've already performed some experiments, it's too early for me to recommend any specific brands yet.

There must be a chemical reaction or a by-product that these specialized bacteria makes in the gut. Do these bacteria-made compounds/molecules then absorb into the bloodstream and travel to the hair follicles and help restore them?

shaftless wrote:There must be a chemical reaction or a by-product that these specialized bacteria makes in the gut. Do these bacteria-made compounds/molecules then absorb into the bloodstream and travel to the hair follicles and help restore them?

Essentially yes.

Most of the magic happens in the gut itself. There are concepts of metabolism, yet based on inferences in the literature it would appear more likely that our metabolism is primary based on the microbes living in our gut, which produce a variety of nutrients and can be co-factors for minerals. Also, replacing some of these missing microbes can be a potent missing link to out of control inflammation and chronic disease.

The big deal here is its ability to remove heavy metals and mitigate toxins, so that leaves the liver a lot less to deal with.
Also our neurotransmitters (which is a construct), yet these microbes affect our mood, level of empathy, energy and much more.

Skin conditions, excessive histamine reactions are indications of a poor gut microbiome.

There are a variety of medications that destroy empathy (Tylenol/acetaminophen) or paracetamol is a common example

Here is a short interview with Dr. William Davis who provides a brief look into benefits of these microbes. Making your own yogurt using his protocols, which optimize the temperature and incubation times will yield a substantial amount of bacterial counts, while some store bought products may have little to none left.