TRICHOTHIODYSTROPHIC HAIR REVEALS AN ABNORMAL PATTERN OF VISCOELASTICPARAMETERS

Separate analysis and quantitative determination of the viscous and el astic parameters of hair performed in 5 patients with trichothiodystro phy and in 20 sex- and age-matched control subjects revealed an abnorm al pattern of the mechanical behavior of trichothiodystrophic hair. Th e change of the viscous parameter is probably associated with the prof ound alterations in the high-sulfur proteins of the interfilamentary m atrix; the changes in the elastic parameters may be related to the red uced stability of the irregularly arranged microfibrils of trichothiod ystrophic hair caused by the marked reduction of the disulfide cross-l inks.