Japanese : new Cure for baldness?
Posted by LucksKind on August 21, 2003 at 19:51:40: Previous Next
TOKYO (Reuters) — Researchers in Japan have found two genes that
affect male pattern baldness, a company involved in the study said
on Tuesday, possibly taking a step towards a cure for the scourge of
millions of men.
Japanese household goods manufacturer Lion said that its joint study
with the University of Tokushima in western Japan has discovered
that two types of genes relate to both hair growth and hair loss
functions.
The genes are bone morphogenetic protein, which helps make bones,
and ephrin, which helps make blood vessels.
The researchers made their discovery by extracting hair growth cells
from the scalp and conducting genetic analysis, the company said.
Lion said the team also found that a plant-derived ingredient,
called 6-benzyl aminopurine, could help revitalize the two genes
and help restore hair growth.
The company, which already sells hair-nourishment products in Japan
and Korea, aims to develop a new hair-loss treatment using their
findings, a spokeswoman said.
But she said the company could not say how soon it would develop a
new product as research is still in its early stages.