Blood Plasma Levels of Heart Disease Biomarker Cardiac Troponin I Are Significantly Increased in Alopecia Areata Affected Individuals

The document reports that individuals with alopecia areata (AA) have significantly increased blood plasma levels of the heart disease biomarker cardiac troponin I (cTnI) compared to those with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and subjects without hair loss. The study found that cTnI levels were highest in untreated AA subjects, and these high levels were associated with increased rates of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in cell culture assays. This suggests that heart remodeling may occur in AA subjects, leading to the release of cTnI into the bloodstream. The results indicate that cardiovascular health should be closely monitored in individuals with AA and possibly in some AGA patients as well. The number of participants in the study was not specified in the summary provided.