title: The effect of autologous activated platelet rich plasma (AA-PRP) injection on pattern hair loss: clinical and histomorphometric evaluation.
abstract: To investigate the safety and clinical efficacy of AA-PRP injections for pattern hair loss. AA-PRP, prepared from a small volume of blood, was injected on half of the selected patients' scalps with pattern hair loss. The other half was treated with placebo. Three treatments were given for each patient, with intervals of 1 month. The endpoints were hair re-growth, hair dystrophy as measured by dermoscopy, burning or itching sensation, and cell proliferation as measured by Ki-67 evaluation. At the end of the 3 cycles of treatment, the patients presented clinical improvement in the mean number of hairs, with a mean increase of 18.0 hairs in the target area, and a mean increase in total hair density of 27.7 ( number of hairs/cm(2)) compared with baseline values. Microscopic evaluation showed the increase of epidermis thickness and of the number of hair follicles two weeks after the last AA-PRP treatment compared to baseline value (P < 0.05). We also observed an increase of Ki67(+) keratinocytes of epidermis and of hair follicular bulge cells and a slight increase of small blood vessels around hair follicles in the treated skin compared to baseline (P < 0.05).
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, No. 1, 00173 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cervelli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Dermatology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garcovich
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomic Pathology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, No. 1, 00173 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bielli
authors.affiliation: Science Education Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, No. 1, 00173 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cervelli
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, No. 1, 00173 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Curcio
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomic Pathology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, No. 1, 00173 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Scioli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomic Pathology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, No. 1, 00173 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Orlandi
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, No. 1, 00173 Rome, Italy ; San Salvatore in Lauro Place, No. 15, 00186 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gentile
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053657:Platelet-Rich Plasma / Q000737:chemistry*; D012535:Scalp / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development