TLDR Oral pulse steroids reduce TNF-α levels, improving alopecia areata.
The study investigated the effect of oral pulse steroids on TNF-α levels in 20 patients with alopecia areata (AA). Results showed that both serum and tissue TNF-α levels were significantly higher in AA patients compared to controls before and after treatment. However, TNF-α levels significantly dropped after treatment, correlating positively with clinical improvement. The findings suggested that TNF-α played a crucial role in AA and that altering its levels could be a key mechanism by which oral pulse steroids treat AA.
286 citations,
August 2007 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation” Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease where T cells attack hair follicles.
97 citations,
January 2006 in “Dermatology” imTA and pulse therapy are effective for alopecia areata with manageable side effects, but relapse rates need improvement.
75 citations,
June 2005 in “Archives of Dermatology” Etanercept may not prevent alopecia areata from coming back.
114 citations,
August 2002 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Alopecia areata is caused by an immune response, and targeting immune cells might help treat it.
127 citations,
January 2000 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Cytotoxic T cells cause hair loss in chronic alopecia areata.
18 citations,
July 1998 in “Pediatric Dermatology” Monthly oral corticosteroid pulses effectively treat widespread alopecia areata in young patients.
48 citations,
July 1998 in “Pediatric Dermatology” Monthly oral corticosteroid pulses effectively treat widespread alopecia areata in young patients.
October 2023 in “Acta dermato-venereologica (Print)” People with severe hair loss have lower zinc levels in their blood.
