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.

This review could be the basis for improvement and progression in the field of hair research.

Brewers' spent grain (BSG) is the major by-product of the brewing industry which remain largely unutilized despite its nutritional quality. In this study, the effects of fermentation on BSG antioxidant potential were analyzed. A biotechnological protocol including the use of xylanase followed by fermentation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lactobacillus plantarum) PU1, PRO17, and H46 was used. Bioprocessed BSG exhibited enhanced antioxidant potential, characterized by high radical scavenging activity, long-term inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation and protective effect toward oxidative stress on human keratinocytes NCTC 2544. Immunolabelling and confocal laser microscopy showed that xylanase caused an extensive cell wall arabinoxylan disruption, contributing to the release of bound phenols molecules, thus available to further conversion through lactic acid bacteria metabolism. To clarify the role of fermentation on the antioxidant BSG potential, phenols were selectively extracted and characterized through HPLC-MS techniques. Novel antioxidant peptides were purified and identified in the most active bioprocessed BSG.

The role of microbial dysbiosis in scalp disease has been recently hypothesized. However, little information is available with regards to the association between microbial population on the scalp and hair diseases related to hair growth. Here we investigated bacterial communities in healthy and Alopecia areata (AA) subjects. The analysis of bacterial distribution at the genus level highlighted an increase of Propionibacterium in AA subjects alongside a general decrease of Staphylococcus . Analysis of log Relative abundance of main bacterial species inhabiting the scalp showed a significant increase of Propionibacterium acnes in AA subjects compared to control ones. AA scalp condition is also associated with a significant decrease of Staphylococcus epidermidis relative abundance. No significant changes were found for Staphylococcus aureus . Therefore, data from sequencing profiling of the bacterial population strongly support a different microbial composition of the different area surrounded hair follicle from the epidermis to hypodermis, highlighting differences between normal and AA affected the scalp. Our results highlight, for the first time, the presence of a microbial shift on the scalp of patients suffering from AA and gives the basis for a larger and more complete study of microbial population involvement in hair disorders.

BACKGROUND Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment may encourage hair growth by promoting cellular maturation, differentiation, and proliferation. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of PRP as a treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature search combined with meta-analysis was used to calculate the overall standardized mean difference (SMD) in hair density in patients treated with PRP injections in comparison with baseline and placebo treatment. Chi squared analysis and Fisher exact test were used to investigate variation in protocols. RESULTS The overall SMD in hair density was 0.58 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.35–0.80) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.23–0.80, p < .0004) in favor of PRP treatment when compared with baseline and placebo treatment, respectively. CONCLUSION Platelet-rich plasma is beneficial in the treatment of AGA. It is recommended that 3 monthly sessions of PRP (once monthly ×3 treatments) be used followed by a 3- to 6-month maintenance period.

Polyamines (spermidine, putrescine and spermine) are multifunctional cationic amines that are indispensable for cellular proliferation; of key significance in the growth of rapidly regenerating tissues and tumors. Given that the hair follicle (HF) is one of the most highly proliferative organs in mammalian biology, it is not surprising that polyamines are crucial to HF growth. Indeed, growing (anagen) HFs show the highest activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-limiting enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis, while inhibition of ODC, using eflornithine, results in a decreased rate of excessive facial hair growth in vivo and inhibits human scalp hair growth in organ culture. In sheep, manipulation of dietary intake of polyamines also results in altered wool growth. Polyamine-containing nutraceuticals have therefore been proposed as promoters of human hair growth. Recent progress in polyamine research, coupled with renewed interest in the role of polyamines in skin biology, encourages one to revisit their potential roles in HF biology and highlights the need for a systematic evaluation of their mechanisms of action and clinical applications in the treatment of hair disorders. The present viewpoint essay outlines the key frontiers in polyamine-related hair research and defines the major open questions. Moreover, it argues that a renaissance in polyamine research in hair biology, well beyond the inhibition of ODC activity in hirsutism therapy, is important for the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the manipulation of human hair growth. Such targets could include the manipulation of polyamine biosynthesis and the topical administration of selected polyamines, such as spermidine.

Introduction: The inflammation storm involved in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and worsening and the psychological stress derived from current quarantine conditions can affect the course of many skin and scalp conditions. This study examined the possible effects of COVID-19 on alopecia areata (AA) relapse in patients suffering from these scalp conditions during the pandemic. Methods: The study was carried out in the form of an observational cross-sectional type using a questionnaire sent by mail to a cohort of patients affected by AA during the pandemic from March 2020 to October 2020. Results: During the pandemic, AA relapse was reported in 42.5% of the participants who also declared COVID-19 infection, confirmed by nasopharyngeal swab or hematological analysis. The relapse was reported about 2 months later COVID-19 infection (median of 2.14 months) and 74.0% of these participants continue to experience AA symptoms when the survey was proposed. Only 12.5% of participants reported AA relapse in the absence of COVID-19 infection. Conclusions: The present study reported a significant relapse in patients suffering from AA and infected by COVID-19. This phenomenon could be attributed to the inflammation storm typical of COVID-19 infection and the psychological stress derived from quarantine conditions.

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a large number of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, including skin disorders such as psoriasis. Recently, much data have accumulated on the possible role of IL-17 in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA). In this review, the available information on the connection between AA and IL-17 is described. While IL-17 levels are consistently reported to be elevated in the serum and lesional skin of AA patients, there is no clear connection between IL-17 levels and disease severity or duration. Some evidence has suggested an association between IL-17 and an early-onset disease, although this awaits further confirmation. While there is enough information to support clinical trials with IL-17-targeted treatments, it is possible that they will be effective only in a subset of AA patients. Further studies are warranted to better delineate the exact role of IL-17 in AA pathogenesis.