Unraveling the relation between vitiligo, Interleukin 17, and serum amyloid A.

BACKGROUND: There is debate concerning the precise etiopathogenesis of vitiligo. According to certain theories, a series of inflammatory responses that mediate the loss of melanocytes are caused by both cellular and humoral immune responses. It has also been demonstrated that Interleukin 17 (IL-17) promotes melanocyte death and inhibits melanogenesis through different mechanisms. Serum Amyloid A (SAA) levels are over-expressed in autoimmune diseases. Th17 cytokines are regulated by serum amyloid A proteins. AIMS: To measure serum levels of IL-17 and SAA in vitiligo patients aiming to explain their possible role in disease pathogenesis and the other aim is to correlate their levels with disease activity and severity. METHODS: This study included 60 vitiligo patients and 40 healthy age and sex controls. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure serum levels of SAA and IL-17. RESULTS: This study revealed significant increase in levels of serum IL-17 and SAA in patients than controls (p < 0.05). Both markers showed significant positive correlations with VASI score and duration of vitiligo; only IL-17 showed statistically significant positive correlation with VIDA scores. Patients with vitiligo showed a statistically significant positive connection between serum IL-17 levels and SAA (γ = 0.992, p-value <0.05). CONCLUSION: Increased serum level of IL-17 and SAA in vitiligo patients together with their positive relation to vitiligo severity and the duration of the disease show that these two markers play a key role in the vitiligo development.

Androgenetic Alopecia and Metabolic Syndrome: Is Alarin a Missing Link?

Background: The field of research into the probable link between androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rapidly expanding. The exact underlying pathogenesis yet to be identified. Alarin, a galanin neuropeptide, found to be elevated in patients with metabolic syndrome and may represent a potential link between AGA and MetS. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess serum levels of alarin in patients with AGA and investigate its possible correlation, if any, with criteria of MetS in those patients. Methods: The study included 50 male patients with AGA and 30 healthy controls. Weight, height, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI) were all measured. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings were recorded. Serum level of lipids, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and alarin were also assessed. Results: Anthropometric measures, serum lipids, FBG, and serum alarin were much higher in patients with AGA compared to controls (p<0.05). Forty-one patients with AGA (82%) met the criteria for diagnosis of MetS. Serum level of alarin was significantly higher in those patients and correlated positively with severity and duration of AGA. Conclusion: Serum level of alarin might represent a potential link between AGA and MetS, opening the door for better understanding of the pathogenesis of both conditions and the possible association between them.

Serum Levels of Eosinophil-derived Neurotoxin in Patients with Chronic Urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Despite the many theories that have been published over the years, the exact pathology of chronic urticaria (CU) is still largely unknown. Eosinophils have been implicated in many cutaneous disorders-serving as major effector cells, inducing tissue damage and dysfunction by releasing granule proteins, including eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), inflammatory lipid mediators, mitochondrial DNA, and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), which is relatively neutral with some cytotoxic properties. OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate serum levels of EDN in patients with CU and to correlate their levels with the severity of their disease. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty patients with CU and 30 matching healthy individuals, serving as controls, were recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Dermatology, Venereology, and Andrology Department of Benha University Hospitals. METHODS: 5ml of venous blood were drawn from all participants in a fasted state, stored in sterile tubes, and used to measure the serum level of EDN following the manufacturer's instructions. RESULTS: The serum level of EDN was statistically significantly different in both groups, and the serum level of EDN significantly correlated with the severity of CU. CONCLUSION: The significantly higher EDN level in patients with CU suggests its role in the pathogenesis of the disease, and its significant positive correlation with the severity of the disease suggests promising therapeutic solutions.