A randomized, double-blind, placebo-and active-controlled, half-head study to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich plasma on alopecia areata

Summary Background Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune condition, causing inflammation-induced hair loss. This disease has very limited treatment possibilities, and no treatment is either curative or preventive. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a new treatment modality in dermatology, and preliminary evidence has suggested that it might have a beneficial role in hair growth. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of PRP for the treatment of AA in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-and active-controlled, half-head, parallelgroup study. Methods Forty-five patients with AA were randomized to receive intralesional injections of PRP, triamcinolone acetonide (TrA) or placebo on one half of their scalp. The other half was not treated. Three treatments were given for each patient, with intervals of 1 month. The endpoints were hair regrowth, hair dystrophy as measured by dermoscopy, burning or itching sensation, and cell proliferation as measured by Ki-67 evaluation. Patients were followed for 1 year. Results PRP was found to increase hair regrowth significantly and to decrease hair dystrophy and burning or itching sensation compared with TrA or placebo. Ki-67 levels, which served as markers for cell proliferation, were significantly higher with PRP. No side-effects were noted during treatment. Conclusions This pilot study, which is the first to investigate the effects of PRP on AA, suggests that PRP may serve as a safe and effective treatment option in AA, and calls for more extensive controlled studies with this method

Pelli intolleranti : le esperienze cliniche con una nuova linea di trattamento topico

"Sensitive skin" is a term used to describe heightened skin sensitivity and a high incidence of adverse reactions to certain irritants. The more common skin irritants are environmental factors such as cold, wind, rain, sun and heat, detergents and certain skin care products. Sensitive skin is a very common condition and more than 40% of people say they have it. It appears as redness, swelling, itchy and dry irritation to the face. Individuals with sensitive skin have to use high-quality products to minimize the risk of skin complications. In this article the results from three clinical experiences in the treatment of sensitive skin with a new line of topical products (Rilastil Pelli Intolleranti: a detergent and two creams) are shown. The products forming Rilastil Pelli Intolleranti line were well tolerated and quickly relieved the symptoms of sensitive skin

[Cutaneous histopathological changes in uremic patients. Preliminary report]

The purpose of this work is to investigate the histopathological cutaneous lesions found in uraemic patients. In particular the microangiopathy and its possible regression in kidney transplant recipients with normal renal function was studied. The study sample included 55 patients - 32 females and 23 males - from 18 to 59 years old. These patients were divided into two groups: group A was composed of 34 uraemic patients; group B was composed of 21 kidney transplant recipients, 12 treated with azathioprine and steroids, 9 treated with cyclosporine A and steroids. In this study hyperkeratosis appeared in 79% of the uraemic patients, but only in 38% of kidney transplant recipients. Atrophy of the squamous cell layer and of the eccrine glands was also more common in the first group than the second. So hyperkeratosis, as well as atrophy of the squamous cell layer and of the eccrine glands can be considered the histological markers of uraemia. There is also a remarkable microangiopathy in the blood-vessels of the dermis in both groups (85-70%). Other authors have described an improvement in the microangiopathy after kidney transplant. In this study the microangiopathy did not disappear even after a kidney transplant. This does not seem to depend on a chronic renal insufficiency, but it could be induced or stirred up by uraemia and side factors

Red LED light in skin regeneration: an in vitro study on human dermal fibroblasts

The use of noncoherent light (light-emitting diodes, LEDs), in particular the Red LED light, represents an innovative approach to tissue regeneration. In dermatological field, experimental studies on its regenerative effect started about ten years ago but the exact mechanism of its action should be better elucidated. Today, a new treatment, named “Dermodinamica” (Elisor, Milan), uses this approach with a wavelength of 630nm to promote skin regeneration. Dermal fibroblast is a primary cell type responsible for synthesis and remodeling of extracellular matrix in human skin. Several studies have reported cytokine-dependent changes in extracellular matrix composition and in particular transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is a fibroblast stimulating cytokine effective on both type I collagen and hyaluronan production. Moreover, ROS-detoxifying enzymes, such as superoxide dismutases (SOD) and heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1), have an important role in cutaneous wound repair. The aim of the present in vitro preliminary study was to evaluate the effect of Red LED light (Dermodinamica, Elisor, Milan) on normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) at 24h from exposition monitoring: cell viability using MTT assay; TGF-beta1 production using ELISA kit; expression of SOD-1 and HO-1 using immunohistochemical technique. Moreover, short (15 min exposition) and prolonged (30 min exposition) treatments were investigated. The results showed a progressive increase in TGF-beta1 release respectively in the short treatment (15 min exposition) and in the prolonged treatment (30 min exposition). Moreover, the ROS-detoxifying enzymes were modulated by this treatment and the cell viability was maintained. These data support the hypothesis of the positive influence of Red LED light in the biological processes involved in skin regeneration

The human hair : From anatomy to physiology

Background: Hair is a unique character of mammals and has several functions, from protection of the skin to sexual and social communication. In literature, there are various studies about hair that take into consideration different aspects within many fields of science, including biology, dermatology, cosmetics, forensic sciences, and medicine. Methods: We carried out a search of studies published in PubMed up to 2013. Results: In this review, we summarized the principal anatomical and physiological aspects of the different types of human hair, and we considered the clinical significance of the different structures and the distribution of the hair in the human body. Conclusion: This review could be the basis for improvement and progression in the field of hair research. International Journal of Dermatolog

The human hair: from anatomy to physiology

Background: Hair is a unique character of mammals and has several functions, from protection of the skin to sexual and social communication. In literature, there are various studies about hair that take into consideration different aspects within many fields of science, including biology, dermatology, cosmetics, forensic sciences, and medicine. Methods: We carried out a search of studies published in PubMed up to 2013. Results: In this review, we summarized the principal anatomical and physiological aspects of the different types of human hair, and we considered the clinical significance of the different structures and the distribution of the hair in the human body. Conclusion: This review could be the basis for improvement and progression in the field of hair research