Evaluation of Serum Levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-a in Alopecia Areata Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

October 2021 in “ Biomedical Research and Therapy ”

Shirin Torkestani, Hamid Moghimi, Reza Farsiabi, Salman Khazaei, Mohammad Mahdi Eftekharian, Esmaeil Dalvand

alopecia areata IL-6 IL-10 TNF-α cytokines AA interleukin-6 interleukin-10 tumor necrosis factor-alpha

TLDR Alopecia areata patients have higher levels of IL-6 and TNF-α.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α in alopecia areata (AA) patients by analyzing 16 studies. The results showed significantly elevated levels of IL-6 (SMD = 1.57, 95% CI 0.17 to 2.97) and TNF-α (SMD = 2.05, 95% CI 0.98 to 3.13) in AA patients compared to healthy controls. However, the difference in IL-10 levels was not significant (SMD = -0.22, 95% CI -0.95 to 0.50). These findings suggest that cytokines may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AA, although further research is needed to clarify their exact role.

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research Alopecia Areata: A Multifactorial Autoimmune Condition

148 citations , December 2018 in “Journal of autoimmunity”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease causing patchy hair loss, often with other autoimmune disorders, but its exact causes are unknown.

research Alteration of Serum and Tissue Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Levels: A Possible Mechanism of Action of Oral Pulse Steroids in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

5 citations , October 2018 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Oral pulse steroids reduce TNF-α levels, improving alopecia areata.

research Th1/Th2 Peripheral Blood Balance and CD200 Expression in Patients with Active Severe Alopecia Areata

12 citations , April 2017 in “Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine”

Patients with severe active alopecia areata have lower CD200 expression and an imbalance in their immune system.

research Altered Expression of Intracellular Toll-Like Receptors in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Patients with Alopecia Areata

12 citations , March 2016 in “BBA clinical”

Increased Toll-like receptors in blood cells may contribute to alopecia areata and could be a target for new treatments.

research Dihydrotestosterone-Inducible IL-6 Inhibits Elongation of Human Hair Shafts by Suppressing Matrix Cell Proliferation and Promotes Regression of Hair Follicles in Mice

173 citations , September 2011 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

IL-6 contributes to hair loss by shortening the growth phase and causing hair follicles to regress.

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Treatment Options

151 citations , February 2007 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Alopecia areata causes hair loss, has no cure, and various treatments exist.

Alopecia Areata: A Tissue-Specific Autoimmune Disease of the Hair Follicle

research Cytokines and Growth Factors Influence Hair Growth In Vitro: Possible Implications for the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Alopecia Areata

91 citations , March 1996 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

Certain cytokines and growth factors can inhibit hair growth and may affect alopecia areata.

Evaluation of Serum Levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-a in Alopecia Areata Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Research cited in this study

research Alopecia Areata: A Multifactorial Autoimmune Condition

research Alteration of Serum and Tissue Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Levels: A Possible Mechanism of Action of Oral Pulse Steroids in the Treatment of Alopecia Areata

research Th1/Th2 Peripheral Blood Balance and CD200 Expression in Patients with Active Severe Alopecia Areata

research Altered Expression of Intracellular Toll-Like Receptors in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Patients with Alopecia Areata

research Dihydrotestosterone-Inducible IL-6 Inhibits Elongation of Human Hair Shafts by Suppressing Matrix Cell Proliferation and Promotes Regression of Hair Follicles in Mice

research Alopecia Areata: Overview and Treatment Options

research Alopecia Areata: A Tissue-Specific Autoimmune Disease of the Hair Follicle

research The Pattern and Profile of Alopecia Areata in Singapore: A Study of 219 Asians

research Interleukin-10-Deficient Mice Are Less Susceptible to the Induction of Alopecia Areata

research Role of Cytotoxic T Cells in Chronic Alopecia Areata

research Cytokines and Growth Factors Influence Hair Growth In Vitro: Possible Implications for the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Alopecia Areata