Platelet-rich plasma for androgenic alopecia: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study and combined mice model experiment.

Background Platelet rich plasma (PRP) has been accepted as a potential therapy for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Objective To fully clarify the underling molecular mechanisms of PRP action on hair growth and promote its clinical applications. Methods In this study, we used mice models and protein biochip to explore the specific mechanisms of PRP regulating hair growth. Then, we performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, half-head study of 52 AGA patients to verify the therapeutic efficacy of PRP in Chinese AGA patients. Results The results confirmed that PRP treatment boosted hair regrowth, accelerated hair cycling, and the effect sustained for more than one hair cycle in mice. Protein biochip evaluation confirmed remarkably upregulated β-Catenin, PDGF and AKT signaling and repressed p53 signaling in PRP injection group. Clinically, mean hair count, density, diameter and anagen hair ratio in PRP group showed a significant improvement at 6 month comparing to control side. Conclusions Overall, we elucidated the specific molecular mechanism of PRP action on hair growth and proved the therapeutic efficacy and safety of PRP in Chinese AGA patients.