A Mechanistic Model of Platelet-Rich Plasma Treatment for Androgenetic Alopecia
Aditya K. Gupta, MD, PhD, FRCP(C)*† and Jessie Carviel, PhD†
BACKGROUND Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is a novel procedure used to treat androgenetic alopecia (AGA).
OBJECTIVE Propose a mechanism of action of PRP therapy for AGA.
METHODS AND MATERIALS A thorough literature search including PRP research for AGA therapy as well as PRP research in other areas of medicine was conducted.
RESULTS A mechanistic model for the action of PRP on the hair follicle.
CONCLUSION Platelet-rich plasma therapy stimulates hair growth through the promotion and creation of vascularization and angiogenesis, as well as encourages hair follicles to enter and extend the duration of the anagen phase of the growth cycle. The process is accomplished through growth factor-mediated increased activation of wingless (Wnt)/b-catenin, extracellular signaling regulated kinase (ERK), and protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways, which leads to the necessary cellular proliferation and differentiation.
The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.
© 2016 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. ISSN: 1076-0512 · Dermatol Surg 2016;0:1–5 · DOI: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000000901
