Irradiation-induced hair graying in mice: an experimental model to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions targeting oxidative stress, DNA damage prevention, and cellular senescence

Abstract

Hair graying, also known as canities or achromotrichia, is a natural phenomenon associated with aging and is influenced by external factors such as stress, environmental toxicants, and radiation exposure. Understanding the mechanisms underlying hair graying is an ideal approach for developing interventions to prevent or reverse age-related changes in regenerative tissues. Hair graying induced by ionizing radiation (γ-rays or X-rays) has emerged as a valuable experimental model to investigate the molecular pathways involved in this process. In this review, we examine the existing evidence on radiation-induced hair graying, with a particular focus on the potential role of radiation-induced cellular senescence. We explore the current understanding of hair graying in aging, delve into the underlying mechanisms, and highlight the unique advantages of using ionizing-irradiation–induced hair graying as a research model. By elucidating the molecular pathways involved, we aim to deepen our understanding of hair graying and potentially identify novel therapeutic targets to address this age-related phenotypic change.