i-PRF-Derived Exosomes Promote Hair Regeneration by Modulating Inflammatory, Oxidative, Angiogenic, and Regenerative Pathways in an Androgenetic Alopecia Mouse Model
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.12592Keywords:
Androgenetic alopecia, Injectable platelet-rich fibrin, Exosome therapy, Inflammation, Oxidative stress, Apoptosis, VEGF, β-catenin, Hair follicle regenerationAbstract
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a progressive hair loss disorder characterized by hair follicle miniaturization resulting from androgenic stimulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Exosomes derived from injectable Platelet-Rich Fibrin (i-PRF) contain growth factors and microRNAs that may restore the follicular microenvironment and promote regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of i-PRF-derived exosomes on inflammatory, oxidative, apoptotic, and regenerative markers in a testosterone-induced AGA mouse model. Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated into six groups: normal control (K), negative control (KN), positive control treated with 5% minoxidil (KP), i-PRF exosome 0.1 mL (P1), i-PRF exosome 0.2 mL (P2), and a combination of i-PRF exosome 0.2 mL with 5% minoxidil (P3). Treatments were administered for 14 days following testosterone induction. Serum analyses demonstrated that all i-PRF-treated groups showed significant reductions in serum TNF-α, IL-6, MDA, and Caspase-3 levels compared with the negative control (all p-value < 0.05), confirming anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic activities. Immunohistochemistry revealed increased VEGF and β-catenin expression across i-PRF-treated groups, with the most prominent upregulation observed in the combination (P3) group, indicating enhanced angiogenesis and Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation. Histological evaluation further demonstrated increased dermal thickness and hair follicle density, most prominently in the combination group. These findings suggest that i-PRF-derived exosomes effectively mitigate inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis while promoting angiogenesis and follicular regeneration in AGA. The synergistic combination of i-PRF-derived exosomes and minoxidil produced the most substantial regenerative outcomes, highlighting their potential as a safe, autologous, and biocompatible nanotherapy for androgenetic alopecia.
HIGHLIGHTS
- i-PRF derived exosomes markedly decreased serum levels of pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6), oxidative stress (MDA), and apoptotic (Caspase-3) biomarkers in testosterone-induced AGA mice.
- Treatment significantly enhanced VEGF and β-catenin expressions, indicating activation of angiogenic and Wnt/β-catenin regenerative pathways.
- Combination therapy of i-PRF exosomes and 5% minoxidil produced the strongest improvement across all parameters.
- Histopathological analysis revealed substantial increases in dermal thickness and hair follicle density following PRF exosome administration.
- The findings demonstrate the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and pro-regenerative potential of i-PRF-derived exosomes as a promising autologous therapy for androgenetic alopecia.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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