Blame it on a group of enzymes. That – and the excessive formation of hydrogen peroxide. Wisdom has nothing to with it, really. When the hair follicle ages, it produces excess hydrogen peroxide and becomes gray. That’s all there is to it. The massive production of hydrogen peroxide by the follicle and the structure of the scalp which continuously produces hair inhibit the normal synthesis of melanin, the natural hair dye. The hair follicles of every person produce small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, but when they become old, the quantity increases and produces the graying effect.
Researchers who analyzed cell cultures of hair follicles found that the production of hydrogen peroxide was favored by the reduction of an enzyme called catalase, which breaks down the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. The follicles are no longer able to counteract the effect of hydrogen peroxide. High levels of hydrogen peroxide combined with low levels of MSR A and B end up altering the formation of an enzyme called tyrosinase which is used to produce melanin. The pigment melanin is responsible not only for hair color, but also for the skin and eyes.
The research could be the first step for the study of substances that can prevent hair becoming gray, and also to think about solutions to problems such as vitiligo. This disease is characterized by a depigmentation of the skin for which no effective therapies have yet been found.
Via ScienceDaily
