Serum levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1α, IL-1β) in patients with alopecia areata
Journal Title: Nasza Dermatologia Online - Year 2012, Vol 3, Issue 3
Abstract
Introduction: Alopecia areata (AA) is disease characterized by focally, nonscarring hair loss on the scalp or other parts of the body. It affects 1-2% population of both genders and occurs at all age groups. The etiology is unknown, although most evidence supports the hypothesis that AA is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease of the hair follicle and that cytokines play an important role. Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate serum concentrations of IL-1α and IL-1β in patients with AA and healthy subjects and also to asses a possible association between these cytokines and duration of the disease. Methods: Forty six patients with AA and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum concentrations of IL-1α and IL-1β were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay techniques. Results: The serum level of IL-1α in patients with AA was significantly higher than that in the control group (4.34±0.86 pg/mL vs 3.66±0.35 pg/mL, respectively). IL-1β levels were greater in patients with AA than in controls (2.35±0.17 pg/mL vs 2.24±0.30, respectively) but the difference was not significant (p>0.05). No correlations were found between duration of disease and the serum levels of IL-1α and IL-1β. Conclusion: Our results have demonstrated the importance of determining IL-1a concentration in serum in patients with AA. This research could contribute to the interpretation of insufficiently well known views of the pathogenesis role and significance of IL-1α in AA.
Authors and Affiliations
Emina Kasumagić-Halilovic, Nermina Ovcina-Kurtovic
Keywords
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