title: Autologous platelet-rich plasma: a potential therapeutic tool for promoting hair growth.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has attracted attention in various medical fields, including plastic and orthopedic surgery and dermatology, for its ability to promote wound healing. PRP has been tested during facelift and hair transplantation to reduce swelling and pain and to increase hair density.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of PRP on hair growth using in vivo and in vitro models.
  
  
  METHODS
  PRP was prepared using the double-spin method and applied to dermal papilla (DP) cells. The proliferative effect of activated PRP on DP cells was measured. To understand the mechanisms of activated PRP on hair growth, we evaluated signaling pathways. In an in vivo study, mice received subcutaneous injections of activated PRP, and their results were compared with control mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Activated PRP increased the proliferation of DP cells and stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Akt signaling. Fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF-7) and beta-catenin, which are potent stimuli for hair growth, were upregulated in DP cells. The injection of mice with activated PRP induced faster telogen-to-anagen transition than was seen on control mice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although few studies tested the effects of activated PRP on hair growth, this research provides support for possible clinical application of autologous PRP and its secretory factors for promotion of hair growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Zheng Jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hye-In
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Dae-Kyoung
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Kyung-Cheol
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.forename: Myung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Im
authors.forename: Young-Joon
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Young-Ho
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jeung-Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 / Q000378:metabolism; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051176:beta Catenin; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases