Dr. Bertram Medical Hair Transplant 眉 髮 醫 學 移 植 中 心 ( 香 港 )
( 852 ) 3421-1138
Research 1 - Stem Cell Therapy in Treating Hair Loss
The result of this study was presented in the 2009 ISHRS Annual Scientific Meeting in Amsterdam, Netherland. It was also published in the medical textbook "Hair Transplant for Asians" by Pathomvanich and Imagawa 2008.
The Research Team
Liposuction of Abdominal Fat
The Lipo-aspirate
Fat Processing by Centrifuge
Seperate the SVF
The Activated SVF
Existing hair is required
Injection into Scalp
Potential of Stem Cells Therapy in Treating Hair Loss
Stem cells are an ideal source of regenerative cells. They can turn into whatever cells in need. The use of own body stem cells prevents rejection. Recent studies confirmed that body fat contains stem cells, and abdominal wall fat aspirate has become an convenient source.
Adipose derived Stem Cells and Hair Restoration
Abdominal fat extracted stem cells have been successfully used in treating diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke. Their use in hair loss was reported by a Korea doctor. Success was claimed in over thirty cases of thinning hair. Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) isolated from body fat was believed to be important in hair restoration.
A Pioneer International Research Project
Between 2008 and 2009 Dr Ng was participated in a research project sponsored by an Australian Pharmaceutical Company. 5 patients (4 male, one female) with hair loss were recruited for the studies. A kit containing lipo-dissolve component and an activation component (Adistem ADSC Kit A) was used. The procedure has 5 steps :
Liposuction of the lower abdomen to obtain adipose cells aspirate
Add the lipo-dissolve component from the kit into the lipo-aspirate to separate out the SVF
Concentrate the SVF by a standard bench top centrifuge
Activate the concentrated SVF with the activation component from the kit. The stem cells will shift from a dormant state to an active state
Inject the activated SVF into selected area on the scalp and eyebrows
The procedure was completed without complication. Regular followed ups were arranged
Results
No improve hair re-growth was observed in all patients after 8 months.
Conclusion
Stem cells have the potential to turn into a wide variety of body cells. We believed that the activation component of the supplied kit failed to trigger the differentiation of SVF into the desired hair follicle tissue. The company is in the process of refining the kit before the study is repeated
References :
1. Park B. et al. Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Their Secretory Factors as a Promising Therapy for Skin Aging. Dermatologic Surgery Vol.34 (10), Pages 1323 - 1326
2. Fraser J. et al. Plasticity of human adipose stem cells toward endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. Nature Clinical Practice Cardiovascular Medicine (2006). 3, S33-S37
3. Trivedi HL et al. Human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells combined with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation synthesize insulin. Transplant Proc. 2008 May;40(4):1135-9
4.Porada C, Zanjani E, Almeida-Porad G. Adult mesenchymal stem cells: a pluripotent population with multiple applications Curr Stem Cell Res Ther. 2006 Sep;1(3):365-9
5.Reiser J. et al. Potential of mesenchymal stem cells in gene therapy approaches for inherited and acquired diseases Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2005 Dec;5(12):1571-84
