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NMN may promote hair growth by contributing to the creation of blood vessels and reducing inflammation in the cells responsible for new hair growth.  

DHT, the cause of hair loss

The most common cause of hair loss is the hormone DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) . Cells exposed to DHT experience reduced levels of a protein called VEGF (Vascular endothelial growth factor), a protein that promotes angiogenesis. This reduced VEGF reduces blood flow, which in turn contributes to hair loss. Each hair is directly connected to blood vessels and receives the oxygen and nutrients necessary for hair growth through blood flow. However, when blood flow to the scalp decreases, hair becomes thinner and eventually falls out.

Can NMN Prevent Hair Loss?

A recent study from Guangxi University in China reported that NMN (β-Nicotinamide Mononuceotide) promotes hair growth. This was confirmed in an experiment using hair follicle stem cells treated with DHT.

1) VEGF concentration according to NMN treatment

Graph 1. VEGF concentration (pg/mL) according to DHT, NMN, and Minoxidil treatment

To confirm the hair growth promotion of NMN, an experiment was conducted by setting up four groups . The group in which hair follicle cells were not treated with DHT, NMN, or Minoxidil was designated as the blank control group (BC), and the group treated only with DHT was designated as the negative control group (NC) because it had a condition similar to hair loss. In addition, the group treated with DHT and Minoxidil together was designated as the positive control group (PC) because it was expected to suppress hair loss, and the group treated with DHT and NMN was designated as the experimental group (NMN) whose effect was to be confirmed this time.

* Minoxidil: Known under the pharmaceutical name Rogaine, this hair loss treatment increases blood flow to the hair follicles, promoting hair growth.

In BC , normal concentrations of VEGF are observed, and in NC , where DHT is added, VEGF exists in a reduced concentration. However, when minoxidil is added here, it becomes PC and the concentration of VEGF does not decrease. It can be confirmed that the concentration of VEGF does not decrease even when NMN is added instead of minoxidil. This suggests that NMN, like minoxidil, prevents the decrease of VEGF and increases blood flow to promote hair growth .

* Blank control (BC): A group that does not contain any of the substances being tested.

* Negative control (NC): A group that controls unknown variables (NMN) for comparison with the experimental group.

* Positive control (PC): A group that includes a variable (Minoxidil) that is expected to be effective and is already known to be effective.

* Experimental group (NMN): A group that includes unknown variables (NMN).

In addition to reducing VEGF, NMN has been shown to prevent elevations of proteins associated with inflammation .

2) Inflammatory factor concentration according to NMN treatment

Graph 2. IL-6 concentration (pg/mL) according to DHT, NMN, and Dexamethasone treatment.

Graph 3. IL-1β concentration (pg/mL) according to DHT, NMN, and Dexamethasone treatment  

Unlike Graph 1 above, Graphs 2 and 3 use dexamethasone instead of minoxidil as the positive control . In the dexamethasone-treated group, a decrease in immune factors can be expected.

* Dexamethasone: A synthetic adrenal cortex hormone with anti-inflammatory properties, it has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. 

In the blank control group , normal concentrations of IL-6 and IL-1β were observed, and in the negative control group where DHT was added to normal hair follicle cells, inflammatory factors were present at increased concentrations. When dexamethasone was added to the cells treated with DHT, it became a positive control and the concentration of inflammatory factors did not increase. It was confirmed that when NMN was added instead of dexamethasone to the cells treated with DHT, the concentration of inflammatory factors did not increase. This shows that NMN, like dexamethasone, blocks the increase of inflammatory factors and reduces hair follicle inflammation, thereby promoting hair production .

The effects of NMN showed increased VEGF concentrations and decreased IL-6 and IL-1β concentrations compared to the control group. This phenomenon contributed to NMN's hair loss prevention effect and demonstrated its potential as a solution to hair loss.

[References and Figure Source]

[1] Is NMN the New Rogaine?

https://www.nmn.com/news/is-nmn-the-new-rogaine

[2] β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Promotes Cell Proliferation and Hair Growth by Reducing Oxidative Stress

https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/4/798#B40-molecules-29-00798

[3] Yonhap News: The cause of hair loss is poor blood circulation! The problem isn't the scalp, but the carotid artery!

https://www.yna.co.kr/view/RPR20120925008500353

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