Metabolic and Vascular Inflammation in Alopecia Areata: Linking Uric Acid, Lipid Imbalance and ICAM-1 Upregulation

December 2025 in “ Experimental Dermatology ”

Madoc Dawson, Derek Pye, R Mahon, G.N. Taylor, Asim Shahmalak, Bessam Farjo, Nilofer Farjo, Matthew Harries, Talveen S. Purba

alopecia areata uric acid lipid imbalance ICAM-1 13-HODE vascular inflammation endothelial dysfunction CD31 AKR1B1 SORD polyol pathway endothelial cell activation microvascular dysfunction

TLDR Improving blood vessel health and controlling uric acid may help manage alopecia areata.

This study explores the link between metabolic and vascular inflammation in alopecia areata (AA), focusing on uric acid, lipid imbalance, and ICAM-1 upregulation. Researchers found increased uric acid levels and ICAM-1 expression in AA scalp tissues, suggesting systemic inflammation and endothelial activation. The study involved 21 AA patients and 13 controls, revealing that uric acid and fructose can induce ICAM-1 expression in hair follicles, indicating a novel pathogenic mechanism. The findings suggest that targeting uric acid levels may help restore microvascular function and promote hair regrowth in AA patients.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

21 / 21 results

research Activation of the Integrated Stress Response in Human Hair Follicles

June 2024 in “PLoS ONE”

Blocking the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier causes stress in hair follicles, which can be reduced by an ISR inhibitor.

research Identification of Ferroptosis-Related Biomarkers in Alopecia Areata Through Machine Learning

February 2024 in “Scientific reports”

Four genes are potential markers for hair loss condition alopecia areata, linked to a specific type of cell death.

Incidence Rates of Infections, Malignancies, Thromboembolism, and Cardiovascular Events in an Alopecia Areata Cohort from a US Claims Database

research Incidence Rates of Infections, Malignancies, Thromboembolism, and Cardiovascular Events in an Alopecia Areata Cohort from a US Claims Database

1 citations , June 2023 in “Dermatology and therapy”

People with Alopecia Areata have more herpes simplex infections but similar rates of cancer, blood clots, and heart disease compared to those without it.

research Alopecia Areata: A Review of the Role of Oxidative Stress, Possible Biomarkers, and Potential Novel Therapeutic Approaches

15 citations , January 2023 in “Antioxidants”

Oxidative stress plays a significant role in alopecia areata, and new treatments may include JAK inhibitors and antioxidants.

research Alopecia Areata: An Update on Etiopathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management

290 citations , August 2021 in “Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology”

JAK inhibitors show promise for treating alopecia areata, but more research is needed.

research Pro-Inflammatory Vδ1+ T-Cells Infiltrates Are Present In And Around The Hair Bulbs Of Non-Lesional And Lesional Alopecia Areata Hair Follicles

23 citations , September 2020 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Targeting Vδ1+T-cells may help treat alopecia areata.

research Hyperuricemia Is Associated With Androgenetic Alopecia In Men: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study

4 citations , April 2020 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

High uric acid levels link to male pattern baldness, especially in young men.

Alopecia Areata Patients Show Deficiency of FOXP3+CD39+ T Regulatory Cells and Clonotypic Restriction of Treg TCRβ-Chain, Highlighting the Immunopathological Aspect of the Disease

research Alopecia Areata Patients Show Deficiency of FOXP3+CD39+ T Regulatory Cells and Clonotypic Restriction of Treg TCRβ-Chain, Highlighting the Immunopathological Aspect of the Disease

30 citations , July 2019 in “PloS one”

Patients with Alopecia areata have fewer specific immune cells that normally regulate the immune system, which may contribute to the condition.

research Stimulation of Hair Growth by Small Molecules That Activate Autophagy

88 citations , June 2019 in “Cell reports”

Certain small molecules can promote hair growth by activating a cellular cleanup process called autophagy.

research Scalp Bacterial Shift in Alopecia Areata

48 citations , April 2019 in “PloS one”

Alopecia areata patients have more Propionibacterium acnes and less Staphylococcus epidermidis on their scalps.

research Frequency of the Types of Alopecia at Twenty-Two Specialist Hair Clinics: A Multicenter Study

56 citations , January 2019 in “Skin appendage disorders”

The most common hair loss type at specialist clinics is androgenetic alopecia, especially in younger men, followed by alopecia areata and telogen effluvium, with differences seen across regions.

research Comorbidities in Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

100 citations , July 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

People with alopecia areata often have other health issues like skin diseases, metabolic syndrome, stomach infections, lupus, anemia, thyroid problems, mental health issues, vitamin D deficiency, and hearing and eye problems.

research Anti-Inflammatory Role of 15-Lipoxygenase Contributes to the Maintenance of Skin Integrity in Mice

29 citations , June 2018 in “Scientific Reports”

15-lipoxygenase helps keep skin healthy by reducing inflammation.

research Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Revisited: The Key to Alopecia Areata Management

102 citations , December 2017 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

Restoring hair bulb immune privilege is crucial for managing alopecia areata.

research A Primer for Studying Cell Cycle Dynamics of the Human Hair Follicle

38 citations , April 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology”

The document concludes that understanding hair follicle cell cycles is crucial for hair growth and alopecia research, and recommends specific techniques and future research directions.

research Alopecia Areata Increases the Risk of Stroke: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study

25 citations , June 2015 in “Scientific Reports”

People with alopecia areata have a higher risk of stroke.

research Association of Androgenetic Alopecia With Mortality From Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Disease

49 citations , May 2013 in “JAMA Dermatology”

Hair loss links to higher death risk from diabetes and heart disease; not a direct cause, but a marker for risk factors.

research Development of Autoimmune Hair Loss Disease Alopecia Areata Is Associated with Cardiac Dysfunction in C3H/HeJ Mice

18 citations , April 2013 in “PLOS ONE”

Mice with autoimmune hair loss showed signs of heart problems.

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

717 citations , June 2010 in “Nature”

Alopecia areata involves both innate and adaptive immunity, with specific genes linked to the disease.

research Maintenance of Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Is Linked to Prevention of NK Cell Attack

253 citations , December 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Hair follicles prevent NK cell attacks to avoid hair loss.

research Human Hair Growth In Vitro: A Model for the Study of Hair Follicle Biology

133 citations , July 1994 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Human hair growth can be influenced by certain growth factors and has specific metabolic needs.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research Antioxidants in Dermatology

86 citations , June 2017 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”

Antioxidants can benefit skin health but should be used carefully to avoid negative effects.

research Effect of Nutrient Antioxidants on Oxidative Stress Indicators in Patients with Alopecia Areata

1 citations , June 2007 in “Almustansiriya journal of pharmaceutical sciences/Al-Mustansiriyah journal of pharmaceutical sciences”

Antioxidants can help improve hair growth in people with alopecia areata.

research Effect of Alpha Lipoic Acid on Smoking-Induced Skin Damage

9 citations , April 2016 in “Cutaneous and ocular toxicology”

Alpha Lipoic Acid helps protect skin from smoking damage.

research Oxidative Stress and Autoimmune Skin Disease

73 citations , January 2013 in “European journal of dermatology/EJD. European journal of dermatology”

Antioxidants may help fight oxidative stress linked to autoimmune skin diseases.

research Ischemia-Modified Albumin: A Potential New Marker of Oxidative Stress in Dermatological Diseases

6 citations , May 2022 in “Medicina-lithuania”

IMA may indicate oxidative stress in skin and hair disorders, but more research is needed.