The Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived-Conditioned Media in Combination with Oral Anti-Androgenic Drugs on Male Pattern Baldness: An Animal Study

Abstract

Objective: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a prevalent form of hair loss, mainly caused by follicular sensitivity toandrogens. Despite developing different anti-androgen treatment options, the success rate of these treatments hasbeen limited. Using animal models, this study evaluated the therapeutic effects of umbilical cord (UC) stem cellconditioned 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 forsubcutaneous testosterone injection. AGA models were treated with oral finasteride, oral flutamide, and CMinjections. Samples were thoroughly evaluated and compared using histological, stereological, and molecularanalyses.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 telogenand catagen phases. Furthermore, the combination treatment led to an upregulation of hair induction gene expressionwith a downregulation of inflammation genes.Conclusion: Through a reduction in inflammation, injection of CM-loaded hydrogel alone or combined with oral intakeof anti-androgens induces the hair cell cycle with regeneration in damaged follicles. Hence, this could be a promisingtherapeutic method for AGA patients.

Keywords

• androgenetic alopecia
• conditioned media
• finasteride
• flutamide
• mesenchymal stem cells