Hair loss affects nearly half of all people by the age of 50 and can have a negative impact on self-esteem and overall well-being. The most common type of hair loss is Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA), which is caused by a combination of age, genetics, and hormones. Illustrative characteristics include a receding hairline (which may result in an M/U shape), thinning hair near the temples, crown, and back of the neck; and visible scalp beneath areas of normally growing hair.
Androgenetic alopecia can have a dramatic effect on an individual’s quality of life as it is manifested differently among each patient, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. As this form of alopecia progresses, the psychological manifestation of social anxiety and lower self-esteem can become overwhelming, potentially leading to depression or worry.
Studies have shown that those with androgenetic alopecia experience a decreased overall quality of life due to their hair loss, dealing with emotional issues such as lack of self-confidence, negative body image, reluctance in socializing and more severe emotional distress. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone derived from testosterone, plays a major role in the development of AGA by shrinking hair follicle cells and stopping hair regrowth. While there are a few medications available to treat AGA, they often come with side effects and limitations.
Recently, the medical community has been exploring the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in regenerative medicine. MSCs, specifically adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs), are found abundantly in fat tissue and have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into different types of cells. MSCs also secrete several stimulating hormones like HGF, VEGF etc, which have been proven effective in promoting hair regrowth.
Despite promising findings, there has yet to be a randomized, placebo-controlled trial in humans exploring the efficacy and safety of adipose-derived stem cell constituent extract (ADSC-CE) in treating AGA. However, a team of researchers aimed to assess the effects and tolerability of ADSC-CE in middle-aged patients with AGA. They hypothesized that ADSC-CE would be an effective and safe treatment option for adults with AGA.
By using the treatment, the hope is that patients will experience an increase in hair regrowth without the negative side effects commonly associated with other medications. This new approach to treating hair loss could improve the quality of life of those struggling with AGA and boost their confidence. Let’s discuss the results of the clinical study, A randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical study of hair regeneration using adipose-derived stem cell constituent extract in androgenetic alopecia.
Results of the Study
A total of 38 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received a solution containing a special extract derived from stem cells, while the control group received a placebo solution. Each participant was given a 130-mL bottle of the solution and instructed to apply 2 mL twice daily for 16 weeks, massaging it into the scalp gently for even absorption.
The primary efficacy variables measured were changes from baseline in total hair number and thickness, evaluated by close contact photographs taken at baseline and after 8 and 16 weeks using a standardized phototrichogram technique. To ensure accuracy in measuring changes in the same spot over time, each participant was tattooed with a dot on their scalp. Global photographs of scalps were also rated by an investigator using a 7-point scale as well as self-evaluated by participants.
To ensure the safety of the treatment, local skin reactions were monitored, and blood glucose, AST, ALT, and Cr levels were measured. Additionally, blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were evaluated at every visit. Any adverse events or allergic reactions were reported throughout the study.
Results showed that participants who received the stem cell extract experienced a 19.2% increase in hair count compared to the placebo group after 8 weeks. The increase in hair density remained significant throughout the study, with a total percentage change of 28.1% compared to 7.1% in the placebo group. Additionally, the stem cell extract improved hair thickness by 14.2% after 16 weeks.
While there were no significant improvements in investigator evaluations, participants reported no significant differences in hair regrowth at weeks 8 and 16. The treatment was well-tolerated, and there were no significant side effects or changes in blood pressure and anthropometric data.
Although the study duration was relatively short, and the enrolled number of female participants was considered small, this study is still valuable and has several strengths. It is the first clinical study with a placebo-controlled group to examine the efficacy and tolerability of ADSC-CE in hair regrowth, and it provides promising results for a new and non-invasive treatment option for hair loss. Further studies are needed to confirm the beneficial effects of ADSC-CE on hair regrowth and elucidate the mechanisms responsible for its action in humans.
Kupoteza nywele huathiri karibu nusu ya watu wote kufikia umri wa miaka 50 na inaweza kuwa na athari mbaya kwa kujithamini na ustawi wa jumla. Aina ya kawaida ya kupoteza nywele ni alopecia ya androgenetic (AGA), ambayo husababishwa na mchanganyiko wa umri, urithi, na homoni. Mfano wa kuvutia ni mstari wa nywele unaopungua (ambayo inaweza kusababisha umbo la M-U), nywele zinazopungua karibu na mahekalu, taji, na nyuma ya shingo, na ngozi ya kichwa inayoonekana chini ya maeneo ya nywele zinazokua kawaida. Alopecia ya androgenetic inaweza kuwa na athari kubwa kwa ubora wa maisha ya mtu binafsi kwani huonekana tofauti kati ya kila mgonjwa, na kuifanya iwe ngumu kugundua na kutibu. Kama aina hii ya alopecia inaendelea, dalili za kisaikolojia za wasiwasi wa kijamii na kujidharau inaweza kuwa kubwa, uwezekano wa kusababisha unyogovu au wasiwasi. Utafiti umeonyesha kuwa wale walio na alopecia ya androgenetic wanapata kupungua kwa ubora wa maisha kwa sababu ya kupoteza nywele zao, kushughulika na masuala ya kihisia kama vile ukosefu wa kujiamini, picha hasi ya mwili, kutotaka kushirikiana na shida kubwa ya kihisia. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) ni homoni inayotokana na testosterone ambayo huathiri ukuaji wa nywele na kuzuia nywele kutoka kukua tena. Ingawa kuna dawa kadhaa zinazopatikana kwa ajili ya matibabu ya AGA, mara nyingi zinakuja na athari za upande na mapungufu. Katika miaka ya hivi karibuni, jamii ya matibabu imekuwa ikichunguza uwezekano wa seli za msingi za mesenchymal (MSCs) katika dawa ya kurudisha. MSCs, hasa chembe za msingi zinazotokana na tishu ya mafuta (ADSCs), hupatikana kwa wingi katika tishu ya mafuta na zina uwezo wa kujirekebisha na kutofautisha katika aina tofauti za seli. MSC pia hutoa homoni kadhaa za kuchochea kama vile HGF, VEGF, na zingine ambazo zimethibitishwa kuwa na ufanisi katika kukuza ukuaji wa nywele. "Licha ya matokeo ya kuahidi, bado kuna ""jaribio la randomized, placebo-controlled"" katika wanadamu kuchunguza ufanisi na usalama wa adipose-kutokana na chembe za msingi constituent dondoo (ADSC-CE) katika matibabu ya AGI." Hata hivyo, timu ya watafiti ililenga kutathmini athari na uvumilivu wa ADSC-CE kwa wagonjwa wa umri wa kati na AGA. Kwa hivyo, ADSC-CE inaweza kuwa chaguo la matibabu salama kwa watu wazima walio na ugonjwa wa ADHD. Kwa kutumia matibabu haya, matumaini ni kwamba wagonjwa watapata ongezeko la ukuaji wa nywele bila athari mbaya za upande zinazohusiana na dawa nyingine. Njia hii mpya ya kutibu kupoteza nywele inaweza kuboresha ubora wa maisha ya wale wanaopambana na AGA na kuongeza ujasiri wao. "Kama matokeo ya utafiti wa kliniki, ""A randomized, double-blind, gari-kudhibitiwa kliniki utafiti wa nywele regeneration kutumia adipose-kutokana na chembe za msingi kiungo dondoo katika androgenetic alopecia.""" Kwa jumla, washiriki 38 waliorodheshwa na kugawanywa kwa nasibu katika kikundi cha uingiliaji au kikundi cha kudhibiti. Kikundi cha kuingilia kati kilipokea suluhisho lenye dondoo maalum inayotokana na seli za shina, wakati kikundi cha kudhibiti kilipokea suluhisho la placebo. Kila mshiriki alipewa chupa ya 130 ml ya suluhisho na kuagizwa kutumia 2 ml mara mbili kwa siku kwa wiki 16, akipiga kwa upole kwenye ngozi ya kichwa kwa unyenyekevu ili kuingiza. Mabadiliko ya msingi ya ufanisi yaliyopimwa yalikuwa mabadiliko kutoka kwa msingi katika idadi ya nywele na unene, iliyokadiriwa na picha za mawasiliano ya karibu zilizochukuliwa mwanzoni na baada ya wiki 8 na 16 kwa kutumia mbinu ya phototrichogram ya kawaida. Ili kuhakikisha usahihi katika kupima mabadiliko katika sehemu moja kwa muda, kila mshiriki alikuwa tattooed na nukta juu ya ngozi yao. Picha za ngozi za vichwa pia zilipimwa na mtafiti kwa kutumia kiwango cha pointi 7 na pia kujitegemea kwa washiriki. Ili kuhakikisha usalama wa matibabu, athari za ngozi za mahali hapo zilipimwa, na viwango vya sukari ya damu, AST, ALT, na Cr vilipimwa. Kwa kuongezea, shinikizo la damu na vipimo vya anthropometric vilitathminiwa katika kila ziara. Matukio yoyote yasiyofaa au athari za mzio yaliripotiwa wakati wote wa utafiti. Matokeo yalionyesha kwamba washiriki waliopokea dondoo ya seli za shina walipata ongezeko la 19.2% katika idadi ya nywele ikilinganishwa na kikundi cha placebo baada ya wiki 8. Ongezeko la unene wa nywele lilibaki kuwa kubwa katika utafiti wote, na mabadiliko ya jumla ya asilimia ya 28.1% ikilinganishwa na 7.1% katika kikundi cha placebo. Kwa kuongezea, dondoo ya seli za shina iliboresha unene wa nywele kwa 14.2% baada ya wiki 16. Ingawa hakuna mabadiliko makubwa katika tathmini ya mtafiti, washiriki waliripoti tofauti kubwa katika ukuaji wa nywele katika wiki 8 na 16. Matibabu yalivumiliwa vizuri, na hakukuwa na athari kubwa za upande au mabadiliko katika shinikizo la damu na data ya anthropometric. Ingawa muda wa utafiti ulikuwa mfupi, na idadi ya washiriki wa kike waliojulikana ilikuwa ndogo, utafiti huu bado ni muhimu na una nguvu kadhaa. Hii ni utafiti wa kwanza wa kliniki na kikundi cha kudhibitiwa na placebo kuchunguza ufanisi na uvumilivu wa ADSC-CE katika ukuaji wa nywele, na hutoa matokeo ya kuahidi kwa chaguo jipya na lisilo la uvamizi la matibabu ya kupoteza nywele. Uchunguzi zaidi unahitajika ili kuthibitisha athari nzuri za ADSC-CE juu ya ukuaji wa nywele na kuelezea utaratibu unaohusika na hatua yake kwa wanadamu.