Khaberni - A recent study has shown that the red hair pigment may help in filtering toxic compounds from the body, and providing partial protection to vital organs against cellular damage.
Researchers in Spain focused on "cysteine," a naturally occurring amino acid in the body. Although its normal levels are safe, its accumulation can cause inflammation and damage to tissues and organs, which may lead to premature aging and an increased risk of cancer.
The team found that a yellow-orange pigment known as "pheomelanin," found in red-haired individuals, may prevent the accumulation of "cysteine" and protect vital organs such as the kidneys, eyes, muscles, liver, and brain.
To test this idea, researchers conducted an experiment on zebra finches, which display bright orange feathers and beaks. The birds were divided into three groups: the first group received "L-cysteine" in their drinking water, the second group received "L-cysteine" with drug ML349 to inhibit the production of "pheomelanin," while the third group received no treatment (control group).
Researchers collected feather tissues and blood samples at the beginning of the experiment and after 30 days, then analyzed them to assess the effects of the treatments on cell health and feather color.
The results showed that male birds that did not produce "pheomelanin" experienced greater cell damage when fed excessive amounts of "cysteine," compared to birds capable of producing the orange pigment. This protective effect was linked to cells producing "pheomelanin," not those producing the black pigment "eumelanin." The females, which do not produce this pigment, did not show significant effects.
The authors of the study noted that these results represent the first experimental evidence of the role of "pheomelanin" in protecting the body from the toxicity of excessive "cysteine," which may help better understand the risks of melanoma skin cancer and how animal colors develop.
Researchers also pointed out that "pheomelanin" does not protect against ultraviolet rays as "eumelanin" does, making red-haired and fair-skinned individuals more susceptible to skin cancer.
They believe that the genes responsible for pigment production help cells balance "cysteine" levels and prevent organ damage.
In summary, it can be said that "pheomelanin" has an intrinsic protective function against the toxicity of "cysteine," but at the same time, it represents an external risk factor when exposed to ultraviolet rays.
"Cysteine" is found in many protein-rich foods and is also available as a dietary supplement in the form of "N-Acetyl Cysteine" (NAC). For people who follow a balanced diet, it is unlikely that "cysteine" levels in the body will reach a toxic level from food alone, as the body has effective mechanisms to metabolize and use it.
The study, published in PNAS Nexus, concludes that visible characteristics like hair or feather color may reflect how the body handles internal cellular stress, impacting organ health and the potential for developing cancer.
However, researchers emphasize that the findings were obtained from a study on birds, and more studies are needed to determine if this protective mechanism also occurs in humans.
