The Impact of Growth Factors in Platelet-Rich Plasma Combination Therapy for Androgenic Alopecia

The efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for androgenic alopecia (AGA) varies among diverse populations. While prior research has emphasized the pivotal role of growth factors as active components in PRP, the specific relationship between growth factors and treatment outcomes of AGA remains unclear. This study aims to explore how the efficacy of PRP therapy for AGA is influenced by the types and concentrations of growth factors. The analysis of PRP samples from 46 AGA patients involved assessing seven growth factors using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Patients received a course of three PRP treatments along with traditional medicines. The assessment of treatment outcomes involved conducting trichoscopy tests before and after the treatment, measuring both hair density (HD) and hair caliber (HC). The findings revealed that HD increased in 36 patients, positively correlating with glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) concentration (p = 0.005). In addition, HC increased in 35 patients, demonstrating a positive correlation with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) concentration (p < 0.05). Notably, a gender-based analysis identified a statistically significant difference in HC increase post-PRP therapy (p = 0.005). In addition, no correlations were observed between demographic factors and changes in HD/HC (p > 0.05). The study confirms the beneficial influence of certain growth factors in PRP on AGA treatment outcomes. Future research should further clarify their mechanisms in promoting hair growth, paving the way for the development of novel therapeutic agents.