Therapeutic results of stem cells isolated from hair follicles in baldness treatment

Abstract

Stem cells derived from hair follicles can differentiate into different types of cells including interfollicular epidermis, hair follicle structure, sebaceous glands, and corneal epithelial cells. These cells are being investigated as a valuable source of autologous stem cells for treating various diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study is the therapeutic results of using stem cells isolated from hair follicles for the treatment of baldness. Materials and Methods: In this study, male patients with baldness in stages 3-5 were examined based on the Norwood-Hamilton classification scale. Identification and confirmation of patients with baldness were done by observing an increase in the number of shortened terminal hairs or a decrease in the number of hairs in a physical examination and phototrichogram along with a negative hair pull test. All patients were examined in four stages, which are: T0, the beginning of the study, T1 in 3 weeks, T2 in 6 weeks, T3 in 9 weeks, T4 in 16 weeks and T5 in 23 weeks. Hair growth in patients after the last treatment was compared using photography with the initial assessment done before treatment and between the area treated with HFSCs as well as the control area that received a placebo injection. Results: In this clinical trial, 20 men with baldness with an average age of 35.75 ± 10.40 years, most of them (75%) had baldness grade 4, and 65% of them had baldness for more than 24 months. have been investigated. After the injection of stem cells isolated from the hair follicle, the amount of density and diameter of the hairs increased significantly in the 9th week onwards compared to the injection of normal saline (placebo); So that more than 80% of patients have increased density and thickness. Also, after 16 weeks of intervention, new hair growth was seen in 85% of patients.