Comparison of efficacy of noncultured hair follicle cell suspension and noncultured epidermal cell suspension in repigmentation of leukotrichia and skin patch in vitiligo: a randomized trial

Abstract

Background Vitiligo manifests as hypo-to de-pigmented macules, which are sometimes associated with leukotrichia. For complete cosmetic improvement, the repigmentation of leukotrichia is an important component. Methods This randomized controlled trial included patients with stable vitiligo with leukotrichia. Two vitiligo patches in each patient were randomized to receive either of the two procedures. The patients were followed up for 9 months posttransplantation. The efficacy of hair follicle cell suspension (HFCS) with epidermal cell suspension (ECS) in repigmentation of leukotrichia and skin in vitiligo was compared. Results A total of 20 patients underwent the procedure, and 19 completed the follow-up. The area of the vitiligo patch and the number of leukotrichia in the patches were comparable between the two groups. There was a significant difference in the mean AE S.D. number of cells transplanted between the two groups (5.06 9 10 5 in HFCS vs. 39.8 9 10 5 in ECS, P < 0.0001). The percentage viability of cells and proportion of melanocytes were comparable between the two groups. A total of 10 patients in HFCS and eight patients in ECS had repigmentation of leukotrichia. The mean AE S.D. percentages of depigmented hair showing repigmentation at nine months were 7.42 AE 11.62% in HFCS and 11.42 AE 17.90% in ECS (P = 0.4195), whereas the mean AE S.D. percentage repigmentation of vitiligo patches was 61.58 AE 42.68% in HFCS and 78.68 AE 30.03% in ECS (P = 0.1618). Conclusions The mean number of cells transplanted in the HFCS group was about eight times less than those in ECS. ECS was better than HFCS in repigmentation of leukotrichia and vitiligo, although the difference was not statistically significant.

Evaluation of clinical efficacy and laboratory indicators of non‐cultured epidermal cell suspension and hair follicle cell suspension in surgical management of stable vitiligo: A randomized comparative trial

“…Consistent with the findings of Gunaabalaji et al who compared both methods in the treatment of leukotrichia, the total cell yield in ECS was eight times higher than HFCS in the present study 13 . However, the authors reported similar proportions of HMB45+ melanocytes in both cell suspensions 13 . Contrarily, in the present study, higher and significant total cell yield and HMB‐45+ melanocytes were observed with ECS.…”

Surgical procedures and innovative approaches for vitiligo regenerative treatment and melanocytorrhagy

“…A retrospective monocentric study showed that the melanocyte–keratinocyte transplantation procedure is a good alternative for achieving a high rate of repigmentation in patients with limited stable vitiligo 30 . In addition, non‐cultured epidermal cellular grafts were shown to be better than hair follicle grafts in repigmentation of leukotrichia and vitiligo, although the difference was not statistically significant 31 …”

“…30 In addition, non-cultured epidermal cellular grafts were shown to be better than hair follicle grafts in repigmentation of leukotrichia and vitiligo, although the difference was not statistically significant. 31…”

Transplantation procedures in vitiligo: What's new

“…However, there was no statistically significant difference in the repigmentation of leucotrichia or that of skin. This is because of the greater proportion of stem cells in the hair follicle niche 22 …”