Serum Adiponectin and Leptin in Patients with Alopecia Areata

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder (AID) characterized by transient non-scarring hair loss (HL) with normal hair follicle. Adiponectin (APN) is an endogenous insulin sensitizer. It also plays a main role in glucose uptake upregulation and promoting fatty acid oxidation. Leptin is another adipokine and was found to correlate with insulin, insulin resistance (IR), and glucose.
Aim of the Work: To investigate the relationship between leptin and APN, and alopecia areata (AA) through estimation of their serum levels.
Patients and Methods: This case control study was conducted on 50 patients with AA and 30 healthy controls who matched patients as regard age and sex. Evaluation of AA severity was done by SALT score. Measurement of serum APN and leptin levels was done using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method.
Results: The mean fasting insulin and HOMA-IR levels were higher in AA patients. APN levels were significantly lower, and Leptin levels were significantly increased in the patients compared to the control group. Leptin levels showed a significant positive correlation with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR indicating a relationship with insulin resistance markers. Leptin had a negative correlation with HDL cholesterol (r=-0.294, p=0.008), suggesting a potential link between leptin levels and lipid metabolism. Conclusion: Both adipokines may be considered as a predictive factor of HL in AA. Our study supports the theory that the impaired secretion of specific adipokines may have an essential and complex role in AA pathogenesis and its continuity.