Higher percentage of CD34+ stem cells and elevated efficacy in androgenetic alopecia treatment observed in CGF prepared from 640 nm laser-pretreated blood: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: Concentrated growth factor (CGF) injection has proven effective in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The primary mechanism of CGF in treating AGA is thought to be the CD34+ stem cells and platelets-associated growth factors being injected into the scalp. CGF efficacy in treating AGA may rely on the activation level of these stem cells and platelets. The 640 nm laser is a United States Food and Drug Administration approved AGA treatment that activates follicle stem cells. Therefore, we hypothesize that pretreating CGF with a 640 nm laser may further activate CD34+ stem cells and platelets, thereby improving the efficacy of CGF in treating AGA. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate whether 640 nm laser pretreated CGF (640CGF) has a greater effect in treating AGA than 640 nm laser non-pretreated CGF (N640CGF) and evaluate whether 640 nm laser pretreatment changed CD34+ cell percentage. METHODS: This study enrolled 10 patients (8 male, 2 female) with AGA aged 18-60 years who received CGF injections. The 640CGF group was pretreated with a 640 nm laser at an energy density of 4 J/cm2, with a 30 cm irradiation distance for 30 min. Half of the scalp was treated with 640CGF, whereas the other half was treated with N640CGF. The injection was prepared by a doctor who did not know which blood tube had been pretreated. The treatment efficacy was evaluated using a trichoscope 1 month after injection. RESULTS: All 10 (100%) patients participated in the follow-up visit, and a higher quantity of new hairs was observed on the side injected with 640CGF than N640CGF (p = 0.019). Additionally, fewer malnourished hairs were observed on the 640CGF pretreated side (p = 0.015). No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: A higher percentage of CD34+ stem cells and improved efficacy in AGA treatment could be observed with CGF prepared from 640 nm laser-pretreated blood.

Molybdenum nanoparticles as a potential topical medication for alopecia treatment through antioxidant pathways that differ from minoxidil.

BACKGROUND: Hair loss is a common dermatological condition including various types such as alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia, etc. Minoxidil is a topical medication used for treating hair loss, which is effective for various types of alopecia. However, minoxidil has limitations in treating hair loss, such as slow onset of action and low efficacy, and it cannot effectively inhibit one of the major pathogenic factors of hair loss - excessive oxidative stress. METHODS: Transition metal elements with rapid electron transfer, such as molybdenum, have been extensively studied and applied for inhibiting oxidative stress. We established a mouse model for hair growth and intervened with nano-sized molybdenum, minoxidil, and a combination of both. The physicochemical properties of nano-sized molybdenum enabled it to mediate oxidative stress more quickly. RESULTS: The results showed that nano-sized molybdenum can accelerate hair growth, increase the number of local hair follicles, and reduce the expression of oxidative stress-related molecules such as iNOS, COX2, and androgen receptors. The combination of nano-sized molybdenum and minoxidil showed an additive effect in promoting hair growth. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that nano-sized molybdenum might be a potential topical medication for treating hair loss by inhibiting the oxidative stress pathway. Nano-sized molybdenum, alone or in combination with minoxidil, could be a promising therapeutic approach for patients with hair loss, particularly those who do not respond well to current treatments. Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of this novel treatment.

Low-energy green light alleviates senescence-like phenotypes in a cell model of photoaging.

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet B (UVB) affects diverse pathways in skin cells, resulting in skin photoaging. Skin fibroblasts internalize and degrade elastin and collagen, playing prominent roles in photoaging. Green light is used in many fields of dermatology, but few studies have examined its role in photoaging. The present work aimed to assess low-energy green light for its effects in a previously proposed cell model of photoaging and to explore the possible anti-photoaging mechanism. METHODS: The stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) model was constructed via repeated treatment of MDFs with UVB. Senescence-like phenotypes were compared among normal, low-energy green light pretreatment and UVB groups, for example, cell morphological properties, senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) amounts, extracellular matrix (ECM) biosynthesis and degradation, and autophagy. RESULTS: In comparison with the UVB group, the green light pretreatment group showed significantly decreased number of senescent mast cells and markedly declined signal intensity and amounts of SA-ß-gal-positive cells. Furthermore, green light pretreatment directly affected ECM by increasing type I and type III collagen production and decreasing MMP-1 amounts. Moreover, changes in autophagy levels induced by green light pretreatment provided a potential mechanism underlying its anti-aging property. CONCLUSIONS: Low-energy green light pretreatment improves senescence-like phenotypes in vitro, indicating a possible application for anti-aging in clinic after future research has uncovered the potential mechanism.

Low-level green laser promotes wound healing after carbon dioxide fractional laser therapy.

BACKGROUND: The carbon dioxide (CO2 ) fractional laser resurfacing has become one of the hottest therapies for dermatoses. However, complications such as skin swelling, prolonged erythema, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and scar formation remain. Low-level laser (LLL) therapy is accepted to promote skin wound healing and regeneration, decrease inflammation and pain, and modulate immunoreaction with low-dose laser of different wavelength. 532 nm laser therapy is commonly used to remove pigmented spots and to tender skin, but not utilized in wound care. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the efficacy of the low-level 532 nm green laser in wound healing after CO2 fractional laser. METHODS: Six adult male mice (C57BL/6, 8 weeks old) were prepared for animal experiments. The dorsum of each mouse was divided into four parts that, respectively, received designed treatments, as controlled (group Ctrl), 532 nm LLL-treated (group GL), CO2 fractional laser-treated (group FL), and CO2 fractional laser followed by three times 532 nm LLL-treated (group FG). Hematoxylin-eosin staining (H&E), Masson-trichrome staining, CD31 immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate the efficacy of wound healing after treated by different irradiations. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of related proteins. Mouse skin fibroblasts (MSFs) were treated with LLL using a wavelength of 532 nm once. Cellular responses were observed and analyzed after 48 hours. Cell viability and migration of different groups were assessed by scratch and the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assays, respectively. RESULTS: Collagen remodeling and epidermis thickness were significantly enhanced in group FG than that in group FL in morphology. Besides, CD31 immunohistochemical staining indicated prominently increased angiogenesis in both groups FL and FG than non-irradiation group. The expression of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related protein (Col1, Col3 and MMP1) showed a remarkable improvement in wound healing in group FG than that in group FL. Irradiated MSFs showed a better migration ability compared with non-irradiated controls. LLL enhanced the secretion function of MSFs on Collagen I and III. CONCLUSIONS: Low-level green laser promotes wound healing after CO2 fractional laser by improving the integrity of skin barrier and allowing for scarless healing. Therefore, low-level green laser therapy might serve as a sequential therapy of invasive laser surgery to ensure a better wound care.

Rapamycin Protects Skin Fibroblasts from Ultraviolet B-Induced Photoaging by Suppressing the Production of Reactive Oxygen Species.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation alters multiple molecular pathways in the skin, thereby inducing skin photoaging. Murine dermal fibroblasts (MDFs) were subjected to a series of 4 sub-cytotoxic UVB doses (120 mJ/cm2), resulting in changes in cell shape, DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, extracellular matrix variations, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and alterations in major intracellular antioxidant and cellular autophagy levels. Rapamycin (RAPA) is a new macrolide immunosuppressive agent that is primarily used in oncology, cardiology, and transplantation medicine and has been found to extend the lifespan of genetically heterogeneous mice. Several studies have shown that RAPA may have anti-aging effects in cells and organisms. Thus, in this study, we explored the effects and mechanisms of RAPA against the photoaging process using a well-established cellular photoaging model. METHODS: We developed a stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) model through repeated exposure of MDFs to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. The cells were cultured in the absence or presence of RAPA for 48 h. Senescent phenotypes were assessed by examining cell viability, cell morphology, senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) expression, cell cycle progression, intracellular ROS production, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) synthesis and degradation, extracellular matrix (ECM) component protein expression, alterations in major intracellular antioxidant levels, and the cellular autophagy level. RESULTS: Compared with the UVB group, pretreatment with RAPA (5 µM) significantly decreased the staining intensity and percentage of SA-ß-gal-positive cells and preserved the elongated cell shape. Moreover, cells pretreated with RAPA showed inhibition of the reduction in the type I collagen content by blocking the UVB-induced upregulation of MMP expression. RAPA also decreased photoaging cell cycle arrest and downregulated p53 and p21 expression. RAPA application significantly attenuated irradiation-induced ROS release by modulating intracellular antioxidants and increasing the autophagy level. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that RAPA elicited oxidative damage in vitro by reducing ROS accumulation in photoaged fibroblasts. The anti-aging effect can be attributed to the maintenance of normal antioxidant and cellular autophagy levels. However, determination of the definitive mechanism requires further study.

Antibody-Conjugated Silica-Modified Gold Nanorods for the Diagnosis and Photo-Thermal Therapy of Cryptococcus neoformans: an Experiment In Vitro.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast. There is still little quick and effective solution for the diagnosis or treatment of C. neoformans infection at an early stage in clinical. Antibody-conjugated silica-modified gold nanorods (GNR-SiO2-Ab) can conjugate C. neoformans selectively. It may provide a possibility for treatment of cryptococcosis safely and effectively. METHODS: Gold nanorods (GNRs) were synthesized according to the seed-mediated template-assisted protocol. Anti-C. neoformans antibody was covalently anchored on the surface of GNRs with silane coupling agent. In vitro computer tomography imaging was performed to explore the diagnostic effect of the GNR-SiO2-Ab. The viability of cells was evaluated to confirm the photo-thermal therapy effect of GNR-SiO2-Ab combined with near-infrared (NIR) laser light. RESULTS: GNR-SiO2-Ab has a potential application as a positive X-ray/CT imaging contrast agent. An antibody can induce a much greater aggregation of GNRs by binding to the surface of C. neoformans cells resulting in a much higher attenuation values than ever. After irradiation, C. neoformans cells suffered photo-thermal damages and the normal structure of cells were destroyed. The viability of cells reduced significantly compared to the untreated cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our work confirmed that antibody-conjugated silica-modified gold nanorods could enhance X-ray attenuation of C. neoformans cells in CT images. And immune GNRs, which were mediated by antibodies, could increase the effects of NIR-induced photo-thermal therapy in C. neoformans cells.

Mycobacterium abscessus Infection After Facial Injection With Autologous Fat: A Case Report.

We report a case of Mycobacterium abscessus infection in a 29-year-old woman after facial injection with autologous fat. Nineteen months previously, she received a facial surgery of autologous fat injection with the fat harvested from her inner thigh. On examination, she had multiple painful and fluctuant abscesses associated with local pyrexia in her bilateral temporal and lower orbital regions. A B ultrasound revealed multiple fat liquefaction in her bilateral temporal and lower orbital regions. The acid-fast bacilli culture and polymerase chain reaction sequencing confirmed M. abscessus infection. She was treated with moxifloxacin, clarithromycin, and ethambutol for 12 months, and finally the symptoms subsided. To avoid infection after fat graft, aseptic technique as well as standard operation of the fat harvest and process should be strictly enforced. In cases of persistent infection, or invalid cases treated with conventional antibiotic therapy, nontuberculous mycobacteria should be suspected, and a polymerase chain reaction sequencing as well as a drug sensitivity test should be carried out.

Efficacy and Safety of Botulinum Toxin Type A in the Treatment of Glabellar Lines: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Trials.

BACKGROUND: The uses of botulinum toxin type A for facial aesthetic procedures have been reported in recently published studies. The authors systematically analyzed the prospective, randomized, controlled trials, which continue to expand. New efficacy data and endpoints regarding the safety of botulinum toxin type A injection for treating glabellar lines were analyzed. METHODS: The authors identified randomized controlled trials of botulinum toxin type A through searches of Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Elsevier, and the Cochrane Library from January of 2002 to November of 2014. The search terms included "botulinum toxin" and "glabellar lines." Only randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials that used an injection dose of 20 units were included in the analysis. Safety was assessed by means of a meta-analysis of the number and frequency of adverse events. RESULTS: Seven studies involving 1474 subjects met inclusion criteria and qualified for meta-analysis. Overall, the pooled effective rate assessed by investigators in botulinum toxin type A treatment groups was significantly higher than that in controls (relative risk, 33.54; 95 percent CI, 18.65 to 60.33). The effective rate in treatment groups using a new endpoint was also higher than that in controls (relative risk, 99.04; 95 percent CI, 14.0 to 700.58). Subgroup analysis confirmed that botulinum toxin type A could improve the appearance of glabellar lines at rest (relative risk, 5.88; 95 percent CI, 3.49 to 9.91). There were no significant differences in the frequency of adverse events between the treatment and placebo groups in any of the studies. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis shows that a single 20-unit dose of botulinum toxin type A is considered remarkably effective and safe for the treatment of glabellar lines. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.