Platelet-rich plasma versus carboxytherapy in the treatment of periorbital dark circles: A split-face study.

BACKGROUND: Periorbital hyperpigmentation is a recurrent problem in dermatologic clinics that affect the patients' quality of life and their psychological status. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may serve as a source of different growth factors which may reduce the pigmentation in this problem. Carboxytherapy is carbon dioxide infusion into human tissue for therapeutic purposes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy of PRP and carboxytherapy in the treatment of periorbital dark circles (PODC). Histopathological evaluation was also done. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Split-face study of 23 patients with PODC treated with PRP at the right side and carboxytherapy at the left side. Patients received four sessions; one session/week. Final follow-up evaluation was done 3 months after the last session by clinical and histopathological assessment. RESULTS: PRP showed significant better response (p = 0.002), shorter downtime, and tolerable side effects than caboxytherapy. Reduction in area percent of melanin after PRP injections showed 46.6% improvement, while after carboxytherapy, it showed only 14.3% improvement. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that PRP is more effective and tolerable than caboxytherapy in the treatment of PODC.

Do Prolactin and its Receptor Play a Role in Alopecia Areata?

CONTEXT: Studying the link between prolactin and autoimmunity has gained much ground over the past years. Its role played in alopecia areata (AA) is not clear yet, as previous reports yielded controversial results. AIMS: This study aimed to measure the serum level of prolactin and to detect the expression of its receptor in AA, in an attempt to highlight its possible role in the pathogenesis of this disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A case-control study of 30 AA patients and 20 controls from outpatient clinic were undertaken. Every patient was subjected to history taking and clinical examination to determine the severity of alopecia tool (SALT) score. Blood samples were taken from patients and controls to determine the serum prolactin level. Scalp biopsies were obtained from the lesional skin of patients and normal skin of controls for assessment of the prolactin receptor. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Depending upon the type of data, t-test, analysis of variance test, Chi-square, receiver operator characteristic curve were undertaken. RESULTS: On comparing the serum prolactin level between patients and controls, no significant difference was found, while the mean tissue level of prolactin receptor was significantly higher in patients than in controls. In patients, a significant positive correlation was found between the prolactin receptor and the SALT score. CONCLUSIONS: Prolactin plays a role in AA, and this role is probably through the prolactin receptors rather than the serum prolactin level.