Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2025
06:41
A New Technique for Quantitative Analysis of Hair Loss in Mice Using Grayscale Analysis
Published on: March 9, 2015
9.1K
Is there a link between alopecia areata and gut?
Fatmanur Hacınecipoğlu1, Müzeyyen Gönül2, Şeyda Özdemir2
1Dermatology, Ankara Gazi Mustafa Kemal Occupational and Environmental Diseases Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
|May 17, 2022
Summary
This study found no significant difference in serum zonulin levels between alopecia areata (AA) patients and controls, suggesting intestinal permeability may not be linked to AA. Further research with more severe cases is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Background:
- Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition potentially linked to increased intestinal permeability.
- Intestinal permeability, a measure of gut barrier function, is implicated in various autoimmune diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of intestinal permeability in the development of AA.
- To assess the association between intestinal permeability and the severity of AA.
Main Methods:
- Serum zonulin levels, a biomarker for intestinal permeability, were measured in 70 AA patients and 70 healthy controls.
- Patients with AA were not undergoing any systemic treatment at the time of the study.
Main Results:
- Median serum zonulin levels were comparable between AA patients (46.38 ng/mL) and controls (50.34 ng/mL).
- No significant correlation was found between serum zonulin levels and the clinical severity of AA.
Conclusions:
- This study did not find evidence of increased intestinal permeability, as indicated by serum zonulin, in patients with AA.
- Limitations include a cross-sectional design and exclusion of severe AA forms (alopecia totalis/universalis).
- Larger studies including severe AA phenotypes are needed to generalize findings.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
4.3K
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
4.3K
01:29Autoimmune Disorders
697
Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, tissues, and organs. This results from an overactive immune response against substances and tissues normally present in the body. Let's delve into the concept and mechanism of autoimmune diseases from an immune system point of view, explore different causes and examples of such diseases, and discuss potential solutions.
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune...
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune...
697
01:20Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types
1.7K
Hair growth begins with the production of keratinocytes by the basal cells of the hair bulb. As new cells are deposited at the hair bulb, the hair shaft is pushed through the follicle toward the surface. Keratinization is completed as the cells are pushed to the skin surface to form the shaft of hair that is externally visible. The external hair is completely dead and composed entirely of keratin. Hair can be cut or shaven without damaging the hair structure because the cut is superficial. Most...
1.7K
01:12Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
2.2K
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.2K
01:17Gastritis-II: Pathophysiology
637
Gastritis is marked by disruption of the mucosal barrier that usually protects the stomach tissue from digestive juices and manifests in acute and chronic forms.
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...
In acute gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes swollen and red and undergoes superficial erosion. Superficial ulceration may lead to bleeding.
In chronic gastritis, persistent or repeated insults lead to chronic inflammatory changes and, eventually, thinning or atrophy of the gastric tissue.
Gastritis can stem from various causes, each...
637
01:50What is Monogastric Digestion?
72.6K
The human body contains a monogastric digestive system. In a monogastric digestive system, the stomach only contains one chamber in which it digests food. Several other animal species also have monogastric digestive systems, including pigs, horses, dogs, and birds. This chapter, however, focuses on the human digestive system.
72.6K