Hydrogel Microneedles Loaded with bFGF and PVP-Modified Iridium Nanoparticles Improve Follicular Microenvironment for Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment

The study presents hydrogel microneedles (Ir/bFGF-MNs) containing polyvinylpyrrolidone-modified iridium nanoparticles (IrNP) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) as a new treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). These microneedles deliver IrNP and bFGF into the skin, which together reduce oxidative stress and enhance angiogenesis, improving the follicular environment. In AGA model mice, this treatment successfully transitioned hair follicles to the anagen phase, promoting hair growth more effectively than minoxidil, even with less frequent dosing. The treatment's dual antioxidation and angiogenesis effects through the Nrf2/ARE and VEGF-A signaling pathways suggest that Ir/bFGF-MNs could be a promising approach for AGA treatment.