Induction of transforming growth factor-beta 1 by androgen is mediated by reactive oxygen species in hair follicle dermal papilla cells

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24064061

AuthorsShin H, et al. Show all Journal
BMB Rep. 2013 Sep;46(9):460-4.

Affiliation
Department of Dermatology, Institute of Human-Environment Interface Biology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Korea khcho@snu.ac.kr.

Abstract
The progression of androgenetic alopecia is closely related to androgen-inducible transforming growth factor (TGF)-?1 secretion by hair follicle dermal papilla cells (DPCs) in bald scalp. Physiological levels of androgen exposure were reported to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In this study, rat vibrissae dermal papilla cells (DP-6) transfected with androgen receptor showed increased ROS production following androgen treatment. We confirmed that TGF-?1 secretion is increased by androgen treatment in DP-6, whereas androgen-inducible TGF-?1 was significantly suppressed by the ROS-scavenger, N-acetyl cysteine. Therefore, we suggest that induction of TGF-?1 by androgen is mediated by ROS in hair follicle DPCs. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(9): 460-464].

So.... unbound free radicals = oxidative stress = hair loss? This comes to that study where they found lower glutathione levels in balding people. The difference wasn't that big but I suspect that's because some heavy metals can actually make your glutathione levels go up in order to reduce damage from lead and some metals lower it.
All in all, I suspect heavy metals play a major role in this, I just can't figure out why most mercury toxic people don't go bald.

All the heavy metals play a role, and it also goes beyond heavy metals.