Temporary Reversal of Hair Graying Observed in Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

A group of clinicians involved in delivering stem cell transplants to patients to treat various age-related conditions have observed temporary reversal of hair graying following treatment. Their open access paper is offered in the spirit of "look at this interesting thing that happened," and there is no deep analysis of underlying mechanisms - though it isn't hard to speculate based on what is known. The approach used mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which in the current standard treatment models are thought to produce benefits through signaling that alters the behavior of native cells. The transplanted cells don't live for very long and don't themselves work to maintain tissues. MSC transplantation is known to temporarily reduce chronic inflammation and measures of oxidative stress in tissues, as well as spurring native stem cells to restored activity.

Hair graying is generally considered to be some mix of (a) damage and decline of the melanocyte cells responsible for coloring hair, present in the hair follicles, and (b) dysfunction in the activity of melanocytes and related cell populations caused by the higher levels of oxidative stress that accompany aging. These cells are more sensitive to that increase than most, and so this is one of the first signs of aging. Hair greying can be reversed by treatments that suppress oxidative stress, as has been demonstrated in recent years. So joining all the dots, it isn't unreasonable to propose that stem cell transplantation is temporarily reducing oxidative stress to levels low enough to put melanocytes back to work - but that would have to be confirmed with more careful studies.

Adipose derived autologous mesenchymal stem cells have been transplanted and tested for their ability to regenerate tissues for several indications. We treated a total number of 14 patients between the age group 38-75 years, out of them 4 subjects had completely grey hair. Three subjects were males and one female. While treating these patients for their various age related neurodegenerative disorders with autologous mesenchymal stem cells for their regenerative and rejuvenating properties, we accidentally observed a transition of hair colorations from mostly grey to black in all the 4 elderly patients. Each patient received more than one session within a time frame of 2-3 weeks. Each time the MSCs were administered by spinal intrathecal route (20 million) and intravenously (20 million) after over a period of 20 minutes. There were no notable complications post transplantations. We observed remarkable improvement in the neurological status (being reported separately) and the only adverse effect was transient headache.

In observed patients about 50% of the hairs were seen turning black after duration of 3-6 weeks. This was observed on the scalp and on the beard as well. However, the effect was not permanent; as the age progressed the greying process continued. The longest period of follow up was 20 months for all the 4 patients. All the subjects continue to have some black hairs but were now lesser in density and number. This may be through positive activation and regeneration of melanocyte stem cells in the hair follicular niche. In this paper we intend to report this unique observation which may lead to further research. We do not view MSCs as a treatment modality for grey hair. However this is an incidental finding, so far not reported in the literature.

Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.7243/2054-717X-2-3

Comments

I had the SVF stem cell procedure 6 months ago, no reduction in gray hair. I suspect most if not all of the benefit of the procedure was negated by the trama of the extraction procedure, because in the US it is mandated that the processing and blood transfusion be done the same day, I think most of the stem cells just went to heal extraction site.

Posted by: JohnD at January 18th, 2016 11:14 AM

@JohnD

If I may ask, how much did the treatment cost?

Posted by: Santi at January 18th, 2016 12:42 PM

$5,900. It is officially only available as part of an experiment. I did experience about a 50% improvement in left knee joint function, which I think is because of the treatment, but can't be sure. No improvement in shoulder pain, but I am told that is generally treated via a different type of stem cell taken from bone marrow.

Posted by: JohnD at January 18th, 2016 1:19 PM

That is cheaper than I thought. Most prices I have heard were around $10,000. Glad that it helped your knee. I have been thinking about getting it done sometime in the future.

Posted by: Santi at January 18th, 2016 2:11 PM

I wonder what happened to that original anti oxidant therapy from the 2013 paper?

Posted by: Jim at January 18th, 2016 4:40 PM

Also interesting is that denervating skin slows hair graying ---

Premature graying of hair
http://www.ijdvl.com/article.asp?issn=0378-6323;year=2013;volume=79;issue=5;spage=641;epage=653;aulast=Pandhi

Excerpt:"Cervical and lumbar sympathectomy of long duration has also been shown to retard the normal graying of scalp and pubic hair, respectively, in two patients, suggesting that sympathetic denervation somehow slows or prevents the normal graying of hair with increasing age"

Posted by: Lou Pagnucco at January 18th, 2016 11:44 PM

That is definitely interesting.

Posted by: Santi at January 19th, 2016 4:12 PM

I underwent a complete stem cell transplant during cancer treatment for non hodgkins lymphoma in Oct 2015. Using my own stem cells. Since then, my hair is turning darker, and an eye stigmatism has disappeared after having it all my life. Glad to read this report and yes my gray hair is going away.

Posted by: judy montgomery at January 13th, 2018 5:38 PM

I had umbilical stem cell injections in my knees in November 2017, and my solid white hair began turning yellow. It appears that it only effects the top most layers and not necessarily the roots and nape. I have not had any further injections, but the ugly color is still there 5 months later. I hate it and wish it would go away!!!

Posted by: Darlene at June 11th, 2018 4:24 PM

I'm so happy that I just found fight aging random as it is feel the need to say I don't feel alone and will comment in hopes to give peace to whomever needs that I had stem cell after chemo/ Lukemia. I'm remission 2.5 yrs. my hair was red before I lost it and when it came back in was mostly grey but as it got longer became dark brown which is my donors hair color/ my sister who was 100% donor. She is 6 yrs younger than myself and
has grown totally white hair now she is so jealous lol.
I asked my doctor what's up and he said he had no idea. Makes me crazy.

Posted by: Sharon at January 10th, 2021 10:18 PM
Comment Submission

Post a comment; thoughtful, considered opinions are valued. New comments can be edited for a few minutes following submission. Comments incorporating ad hominem attacks, advertising, and other forms of inappropriate behavior are likely to be deleted.

Note that there is a comment feed for those who like to keep up with conversations.