Evaluation of the Effect of Topical Calcipotriol Versus Platelet-Rich Plasma

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common, immune-mediated non scarring alopecia and can be associated with severe psychological consequences . Alopecia Areata affects 2% of the global population. Alopecia Areata prevalence is lower in adults than children, is increasing over time, and significantly differs by region. Its etiology is unknown but it was hypothesized to be an autoimmune disease mediated by T-lymphocytes. It has been suggested that inflammatory T cells induce growth arrest in hair bulbs in the anagen phase of the hair cycle . Cytotoxic T cells secrete tumor necrosis factor, granzymes, and Fas ligand which trigger apoptosis in affected hair follicle and disrupt hair growth

Clinically, Alopecia Areata presents as a well-circumscribed patch of sudden hair loss. It affects any hair bearing area. The most common affected site is the scalp . Dermoscopy is a highly valuable tool in diagnosis and follow-up of Alopecia Areata. The most common trichoscopic features of Alopecia Areata are yellow dots, micro exclamation mark hairs, tapered hairs, black dots, broken hairs, and regrowing upright or regrowing coiled hairs . The diagnosis of alopecia areata is commonly established based on clinical appearance, In cases of ambiguity, trichoscopy may be useful to avoid invasive procedures such as biopsy. Treatment of alopecia areata is dependent on age of patient as well as the extent and duration of scalp involvement. Treatments include steroids, topical immunotherapy, topical minoxidil, anthralin, and immunosuppressants. Each case must be dealt with on a customized individual basis. Platelets rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous preparation of platelets in concentrated plasma. Injection of PRP improves cutaneous ischemic conditions, increases vascular structures around hair follicles and induces the proliferation of dermal papilla cells by up regulating fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF-7) .Anagen-associated angiogenesis has been suggested as one of the important factors in active hair growth, due to the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor by the keratinocytes of the outer root sheath and fibroblasts of the dermal papilla . Topical calcipotriol is a vitamin D analogue that regulates keratinocytes proliferation and differentiation. It can induce hair regrowth in Alopecia Areata lesions by regulation of the differentiation of B cells, T cells, dendritic cells, and Toll-like receptor expression. There are few reports evaluating the effect of calcipotriol in Alopecia Areata . Patients with Alopecia Areata are characterized by an abnormal serum level of adipokines, particularly adiponectin and resistin. Adiponectin may be considered as a marker of severity of hair loss in alopecia areata. Impaired secretion of specific adipokines may play an important and complex role in the pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata and its continuity

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