Enhanced effect of fibroblast growth factor-2-containing dalteparin/protamine nanoparticles on hair growth.
OBJECTIVE
Although treatments for alopecia are in high demand, not all treatments are safe and reliable. Dalteparin/protamine nanoparticles (D/P NPs) can effectively carry growth factors (GFs) such as fibroblast GF (FGF)-2. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of FGF-2-containing D/P NPs (FGF-2&D/P NPs) on hair growth.


METHODS
In this study, the participants were 12 volunteers with thin hair. One milliliter of FGF-2 (100 ng/mL) and D/P NPs (56 μg/mL) was applied and massaged on the skin of the scalp by the participants twice a day. They were evaluated for 6 months. Participants were photographed using a digital camera for general observation and a hair diagnosis system for measuring hair diameter.


RESULTS
The mean diameter of the hairs was significantly higher following the application of FGF-2&D/P NPs for 6 months. Objective improvements in thin hair were observed in two cases. Nine participants experienced greater bounce and hair resilience.


CONCLUSIONS
The transdermal application of FGF-2&D/P NPs to the scalp can be used as a new treatment for alopecia.
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Research Institute, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
Yuki
Y
Takabayashi
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Research Institute, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
Masaki
M
Nambu
Division of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
Masayuki
M
Ishihara
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Research Institute, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
Masahiro
M
Kuwabara
Division of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
Koichi
K
Fukuda
Division of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
Shingo
S
Nakamura
Division of Biomedical Engineering, Research Institute, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
Hidemi
H
Hattori
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Research Institute, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan.
Tomoharu
T
Kiyosawa
dalteparin/protamine nanoparticles; fibroblast growth factor; hair growth; transdermal application