TLDR Higher Interleukin 17A levels may indicate more severe alopecia areata.
This study investigated the role of serum interleukin-17 (IL-17) in alopecia areata (AA) by comparing 26 AA patients with 26 healthy controls. Results showed that IL-17 levels were significantly higher in AA patients, ranging from 133 to 326 pg/ml, compared to 14 to 226 pg/ml in controls. Despite the elevated IL-17 levels, no significant differences were found concerning clinical types, age, gender, disease duration, or severity. The findings suggest that IL-17 contributes to hair follicle destruction in AA, indicating that IL-17 inhibitors could be beneficial, particularly in resistant AA cases.
2 citations
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December 2019 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment” Metabolic syndrome reduces effectiveness of hair loss treatment.
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March 2018 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” 
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June 2017 in “Advances in Therapy” New treatments for hair loss are showing promise due to better understanding of genetics and the immune system.
62 citations
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June 2015 in “The Journal of Dermatology” People with alopecia areata have more Th17 cells and fewer Treg cells, which may be key to the condition's development.
701 citations
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August 2014 in “Nature medicine” Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.
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March 2007 in “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications” Thioredoxin reductase 1 does not affect glucocorticoid receptor activity in hair follicle cells.
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37 citations
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October 2017 in “Clinical and Experimental Dermatology” Oral tofacitinib shows promise in treating atopic dermatitis and alopecia areata, but only slight improvement in vitiligo.
18 citations
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January 2010 in “Dermatology Research and Practice” DPCP treatment for alopecia areata can sometimes cause vitiligo.
