Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in the treatment of long COVID olfactory disorders: a comprehensive review
In the 4 years since the pandemic, long COVID has produced many challenges within healthcare. One of the most challenging is olfactory dysfunction (OD). This is a hugely distressing side effect for many patients around the world. A constant loss of smell affecting the patient which has a huge impact on their quality of life. In the last year or so, there has been much speculation on the potential outcome that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy could have as a treatment for OD.
The aim of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of PRP therapy in ameliorating OD, especially when associated with treating the long-term effects caused by COVID-19.
To conduct this study, the authors conducted a comprehensive search of any literature, studies and papers that highlighted any clinical trials or cases that showed PRP was used to treat OD. This, of course was limited to the use of PRP for COVID-19. The authors found and discussed data such as design, participant demographics, and reported outcomes, focusing on the efficacy and safety of PRP therapy for the treatment of OD in COVID-19 patients.
The findings following this review showed that PRP was used in the treatment of OD following COVID-19 infection and that PRP significantly improved olfactory function after COVID-19 infection.
In conclusion to this study, the authors state that while there is a huge potential for PRP to be used in the treatment of OD, there is a greater need for further clinical trials and studies to be carried out. Such studies would then help to refine a treatment protocol and more definitively ascertain the efficacy of PRP in a broader, more varied patient cohort.
Skin barrier dysfunction drives skin inflammation via formylpeptide receptor
Skin barrier dysfunction has been proven to contribute to a broad range of inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis (Figure 1) and psoriasis. The exact mechanisms involved in the inflammation process remain largely unknown.
The aim of this study was to investigate and attempt to understand the mechanisms involved in this process. The authors discovered that in mice, the disruption to the skin barrier amplified the expression of proinflammatory genes with a technique called transcriptomic profiling, revealing overexpression of formylpeptide receptor in the epidermis. With treatment, a FPR1 agonist called fMLP in keratinocytes had upregulated the expression of the NOD-like receptor C4 inflammasome and increased interleukin-1B secretion. This took place through modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress via a pathway called the PERK–eIF2a–CHOP pathway.
In skin samples that were taken from healthy patients with a skin barrier defect, the authors found that the activation of the FPR1–NLRC4 was present. They also found that by adding a topical FPR1 antagonist, or Nlrc4, it led to the standardisation of skin barrier dysfunction and alleviated inflammatory skin responses.
In conclusion to their study, the authors show that the FPR1–NLRC4 inflammasome axis is activated upon skin barrier disruption and may explain exaggerated inflammatory responses that are seen in disease states where there is epidermal dysfunction. Pharmacological inhibition of FPR1 or NLRC4 therefore represents a potential therapeutic target to treat inflammatory diseases and also exaggerated inflammatory responses in aged skin.
Intradermal injection of hybrid complexes of highand low-molecular-weight Hyaluronan: where do we stand and where are we headed in regenerative medicine?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a versatile biomolecule with diverse functions in various biological processes such as wound healing, tissue regeneration, antiinflammation, and immune modulation. By combining high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid in crosslinked hydrogels, researchers have achieved higher concentrations, slower degradation rates, and improved tissue diffusion, leveraging the benefits of different-size hyaluronans. One recent advancement in hyaluronic acid synthesis is the NAHYCO® Hybrid Technology, which produces hybrid cooperative hyaluronic acid complexes (HCC) through a thermal process. This review provides an overview of current research on the in vitro and in vivo applications of HCC, including facial and body rejuvenation, as well as potential future uses in skin wound healing, dermatology, and genitourinary conditions.
Recent advances in the management of rosacea through natural compounds
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that impacts over 5% of the global population, with prevalence rates on the rise annually. Research indicates that one-third of individuals with rosacea also experience varying degrees of depression, and may struggle with treatment adherence. Despite extensive research, the underlying causes of rosacea remain contentious and challenging to pinpoint. Traditional medications for rosacea often come with side effects or fail to deliver desired outcomes, leading many patients to lose faith in treatment and discontinue it altogether. As a result, there is growing interest in dermatocosmetic products containing natural ingredients as they offer numerous benefits with fewer and less severe side effects compared to synthetic alternatives. This review seeks to provide an up-to-date overview of studies demonstrating the positive impacts of various botanicals in managing rosaceaprone skin both in the short and long term. By examining recent preclinical and clinical research, the review explores the mechanisms of action of numerous phytochemicals that contribute to reducing the symptoms of rosacea. This information can aid in understanding how plant-based products can help address this complex condition, paving the way for further research in this area.
Polynucleotides HPT for Asian skin regeneration and rejuvenation
Even a slight compromise in skin quality can impact self-esteem and social interactions. Polynucleotides High Purification Technology (PN HPT) derived from natural sources, can stimulate collagen and extracellular matrix production when administered intradermally, resulting in the physiological correction of aging skin. This study investigated the effects of intradermal PN HPT injections on skin tone evenness, surface evenness, firmness, and glow in a group of 30 Asian participants with an average age of 40.2 years.
The study protocol involved three intradermal injections of a Class III CE-marked medical device containing PN HPT at baseline (T0), four weeks later (T1) and eight weeks later (T2), with efficacy and safety evaluations conducted at subsequent time points. Skin quality was assessed quantitatively using a 3D skin analysis system and qualitatively using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS).
The PN HPT treatment resulted in significant improvements in skin surface, firmness, pigmentation, and radiance, with no adverse events reported throughout the study period. At the six-month follow-up, a substantial percentage of participants reported feeling ‘much improved’ or ‘very much improved’, with the majority expressing satisfaction with the treatment outcomes. The mean investigator GAIS scores also indicated noticeable enhancements in skin tone evenness, surface evenness, firmness and glow.
Overall, intradermal treatment with the PN HPT-based medical device demonstrated significant and lasting improvements in skin quality, with participants experiencing enhanced surface texture, firmness, pigmentation and radiance, without any safety concerns.