Hair loss strongly associated with poor vitamin D receptors
Assessment of vitamin D receptors in alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia.
J Cosmet Dermatol. 2016 Dec;15(4):318-323. doi: 10.1111/jocd.12224. Epub 2016 May 6.
Fawzi MM1, Mahmoud SB1, Ahmed SF2, Shaker OG3.
1Department of Dermatology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
2Dermatology Department, Bolak El Dakror Hospital, Cairo, Egypt.
3Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
PDF shows that there is very little overlap between VDR levels for those with AA or AGA and the controls
BACKGROUND:
Alopecia areata (AA) is a frequent autoimmune disease, the pathogenesis of which is still unknown. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a noncicatricial type of patterned hair loss. Expression of vitamin D receptors (VDRs) on keratinocytes is essential for maintenance of normal hair cycle, especially anagen initiation.
OBJECTIVE:
To assess VDRs in the skin and blood of AA and AGA patients, in order to evaluate their possible role in these hair diseases.
METHODS:
This study recruited 20 patients with AA, 20 patients with AGA, and 20 healthy controls. Blood samples and lesional scalp biopsies were taken from all participants for detection of VDR levels.
RESULTS:
Serum and tissue VDR levels were lower in AA as well as AGA patients when compared to controls (P = 0.000). Serum and tissue VDR were positively correlated in each group. Tissue VDR was significantly lower in female patients with AA than males (P = 0.046) although serum and tissue VDR levels were significantly higher in female AGA patients than males (P = 0.004).
CONCLUSION:
This study suggests an important role for VDR in the pathogenesis of AA and AGA through documenting lower serum and tissue VDR levels in AA and AGA patients in comparison with controls.
PMID: 27151518 DOI: 10.1111/jocd.12224
PDF is available at https://www.deepdyve.com
PDF does not seem to state the strength of the association