Cystine Content In Hair Research Articles

Type and location of SS linkages in human hair and their relation to fiber properties in water

The changes in the mechanical properties accompanying the reduction of disulfide (SS) linkages in hair were studied. A variety of extents of thiol groups were introduced into hair by treatments with thioglycolic acid and tri-n-butyl phosphine. The reduced fibers swollen with an aqueous 11M LiBr solution containing N-ethylmaleimide showed typical rubberlike elasticity in a solution composed of equal volumes of 8M LiBr and diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether. The crosslink density was determined from the shear modulus of the swollen fiber. It was found that the SS linkages can be divided into two groups : the intermolecular linkages group (SS 1 and SS 2 ) and the intramolecular linkages group (SS 3 ). The effect of the SS bond scission on the shear modulus of the reduced fibers in water was also studied. It was further found that intermolecular SS 1 linkages do not respond to the shear modulus of fiber in water, and the amounts of SS 1 , SS 2 , and SS 3 are about 35, 18, and 47% of the total cystine content in hair (623 μmol/g), respectively. With respect to the location of SS linkages in hair, important suggestions were obtained : the intermolecular SS 1 and SS 2 linkages are located in the microfibril and the matrix, and the former are more accessible to water than the latter ; and SS 3 linkages are localized within the hydrophobic region of the matrix.

The successful treatment of homocystinuria with pyridoxine

Four homocystinuric subjects were treated at home with high doses of pyridoxine. Elimination of biochemical abnormalities was achieved, permanently in three patients and transiently in one. Homocystine disappeared from plasma and urine, elevated methionine levels decreased to normal, and an increased fraction of total sulfur was excreted as sulfate. Clinical benefit from treatment was more difficult to demonstrate, but decreased platelet stickiness and increased pigmentation and cystine content of hair were observed. The possible mechanisms for the apparent efficacy of treatment with pyridoxine are discussed.

EFFECT OF SUPPLEMENTATION OF VITAMIN, PHOSPHORUS, METHIONINE OR SKIM MILK ON THE CYSTINE CONTENT OF HAIR, DARK ADAPTATION, CREATINE-CREATININE EXCRETION AND GROWTH OF UNDERNOURISHED CHILDREN.

Mineral, vitamin, methionine and milk were administered to children receiving poor diet. The cystine content in hair was increased after dosing of mineral (iron, iodine, calcium and phosphorus) and vitamin alone or with methionine. After supplementary feeding of milk all the children had hair containing still more increased cystine content. Visual threshold values were improved significantly by dosing of mineral and vitamin together with or without methionine. But dosing of these nutrients could not bring the threshold values to normal range until the concurrent feeding of milk began, and then they showed normal value. Supplementation of methionine together with vitamin and mineral resulted a more increased weight gain and urinary creatine excretion than that of mineral and vitamin alone.

Cystine content in hair of children as influenced by Vitamin A and animal protein in the diet.

RECENTLY, Koyanagi and Odagiri1 reported that the cystine content of skin of rats dosed with a small quantity of vitamin A is lower than that of rats given a liberal allowance of the vitamin. In the presence of methionine, the cystine content increased both with small and large doses of vitamin A. We now wish to report on experiments conducted to determine whether the cystine content in the hair of children could be changed by deficiencies of vitamin A in the diet and other factors.

THE CYSTINE CONTENT IN THE HAIR OF CHILDREN AS INFLUENCED BY VITAMIN A AND OTHER FACTORS

Summary To gain information as to the effect of nutrients on the cystine content of hair, this observation was conducted on the hair of infants and children of various nutritional conditions ranging from that of the standard Japanese children to those of severe malnutrition comparable to Kwashiorkor. The cystine content in their hair was low when their diets were deficient in vitamin A or in high quality protein, while it was observed that by supplementing their diets with liver oil or with plenty of milk, the cystine concentration showed an increase.

毛髮及羽毛のシスチン含量に就て 含硫黄アミノ酸研究 第十一報

毛髮及羽毛のシスチン含量に就て 含硫黄アミノ酸研究 第十一報