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Review
. 2022 Aug 14;23(16):9116.
doi: 10.3390/ijms23169116.

Hair Loss and Telogen Effluvium Related to COVID-19: The Potential Implication of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma as Regenerative Strategies

Pietro Gentile  1
Affiliations
Review

Hair Loss and Telogen Effluvium Related to COVID-19: The Potential Implication of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Platelet-Rich Plasma as Regenerative Strategies

Pietro Gentile. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

The diffusion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) inducing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has increased the incidence of several dermatological disorders, including hair loss (HL). This article aims to review the literature regarding the incidence of HL and telogen effluvium (TE) in COVID-19 patients and critically appraise the available evidence regarding the role of regenerative strategies like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Human Follicle Stem Cells (HFSCs). A literature review regarding the correlation of HL and TE in COVID-19 patients analyzing the biomolecular pathway involved and the role of regenerative strategies was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, PreMEDLINE, Scopus, and the Cochrane databases. Observational studies revealed an escalated incidence of pattern HL and TE in COVID-19 patients. Psychological stress, systemic inflammation, and oxidative stress are potential culprits. Proinflammatory cytokines and stress hormones negatively affect the normal metabolism of proteoglycans. Reduced anagenic expression of proteoglycans is a potential mediating mechanism that connects HL to COVID-19. Currently, only one study has been published on PRP against HL in COVID-19 patients. Further controlled trials are required to confirm PRP and HFSCs efficacy in COVID-19 patients.

Keywords: COVID-19 and hair loss; COVID-19 and telogen effluvium; PRP in COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2 and hair loss; plastic surgery; regenerative plastic surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Biomolecular pathway implicated in SARS-CoV-2 and hair loss in comparison with the potential biomolecular actions of AD-MSCs against SARS-CoV-2.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A graphic illustration of the correlation between the inflammation produced by SARS-CoV-2 cell invasion and Covid-19 disease with telogen effluvium.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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Supplementary concepts