Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advance Medical Science and Technology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2
Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
3
Histomorphometry and Stereology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
4
Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
5
Department of Tissue Engineering and applied cell science, School of Advanced Medical Sciences & Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
6
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran
7
Department of Biology, Zand Institute of Higher Education, Shiraz, Iran
8
Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
9
Department of Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
10
Stem Cell Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
11
Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Objective: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a prevalent form of hair loss, mainly caused by follicular sensitivity to
androgens. Despite developing different anti-androgen treatment options, the success rate of these treatments has
been limited. Using animal models, this study evaluated the therapeutic effects of umbilical cord (UC) stem cell
conditioned media (CM) combined with oral anti-androgens for hair regeneration.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Poloxamer 407 (P407) was used as a drug carrier for
subcutaneous testosterone injection. AGA models were treated with oral finasteride, oral flutamide, and CM
injections. Samples were thoroughly evaluated and compared using histological, stereological, and molecular
analyses.
Results: Injecting CM-loaded hydrogel alone or combined with oral intake of anti-androgens improved hair regeneration.
These treatments could promote hair growth by inducing hair follicles in the anagen stage and shortening the telogen
and catagen phases. Furthermore, the combination treatment led to an upregulation of hair induction gene expression
with a downregulation of inflammation genes.
Conclusion: Through a reduction in inflammation, injection of CM-loaded hydrogel alone or combined with oral intake
of anti-androgens induces the hair cell cycle with regeneration in damaged follicles. Hence, this could be a promising
therapeutic method for AGA patients.
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