Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Hair Follicle Growth in C57BL/6 Mice

Platelet-rich plasma contains a high concentration of platelets which can produce various types of growth factors that can promote tissue repair and reconstruction. Because of its controversial use in the treatment of alopecia, this study aimed to explore the effects of platelet-rich plasma on hair follicle growth in mice, so as to provide a theoretical basis for its clinical application.

Twenty female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The dorsal hair of the mice was removed, and the proliferating cells were labeled by 5-ethynyl-2'deoxyuridine nucleoside, platelet-rich plasma was injected subcutaneously into the depilation site of the experimental group, while the control group was injected with normal saline. Photographs were taken to record the dorsal hair growth in both groups. Histological changes in hair follicles were detected, and the expression of Wnt10b and proliferating cells within the follicles was analyzed.

The experimental group showed faster hair growth than the control. The expression of Wnt10b in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group; the location and intensity of its expression were consistent with that of the proliferating cells of the hair follicle.

Subcutaneous injection of platelet-rich plasma correlates with increased expression of Wnt10b in hair follicles, which promotes the proliferation of hair matrix and inner hair root sheath cells, and accelerates the follicular cycling cycle, characteristics that make PRP a promising new option for the treatment of alopecia.

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