Intermittent Fasting Triggers Interorgan Communication to Suppress Hair Follicle Regeneration
CUI Shiyao, ZHANG Bing*
Intermittent fasting has become increasingly popular worldwide due to its potential health benefits. This dietary strategy not only supports metabolic health and weight management but also exerts significant effects on tissue health. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. Adult stem cells, the driving force behind tissue renewal and regeneration, are located within specialized “niches” that integrate local and systemic signals—such as neural, metabolic, and immune factors—to precisely regulate their fate and behavior. These processes are essential for maintaining tissue and overall organismal health. Using HFSCs (hair follicle stem cells) and hair follicle regeneration as a model, researchers discovered that intermittent fasting inhibits hair follicle regeneration by selectively inducing apoptosis in activated HFSCs. Notably, this effect is independent of calorie restriction, circadian rhythm changes, or the mTORC1 nutrient-sensing pathway. Instead, fasting activates interactions between the adrenal glands and dermal adipocytes, leading to a rapid release of free fatty acids into the HFSC niche. This disrupts the metabolic balance of HFSCs, elevates ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels, and causes oxidative damage, ultimately triggering cell apoptosis. Additionally, a randomized controlled trial in humans revealed that intermittent fasting suppresses hair growth. These findings provide critical insights into the mechanisms by which intermittent fasting influences tissue health, shedding light on its impact on tissue regeneration and stem cell dynamics.
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