Clinical Translation of Microbiome Research in Alopecia Areata: A New Perspective

May 2022 in “ Cosmetics ”

Fabio Rinaldi, Anna Trink, Angela Papale, Giammaria Giuliani, Daniela Pinto

TLDR Further research is needed to understand how the microbiome affects hair loss in Alopecia Areata.

The research paper explores the role of the microbiome in Alopecia Areata (AA), an autoimmune hair loss disorder. It suggests that gut and skin dysbiosis could contribute to AA and highlights the use of omic techniques to study the microbiome's role. The paper proposes potential treatments such as topical applications to control overexpressed species or promote beneficial bacteria, and systemic approaches like oral supplementation, diet, or faecal transplantation. The study identified 10 significantly different pathways in the dermis and hypodermis of AA subjects compared to healthy ones. The paper also discusses the role of vitamin D deficiency in AA and the potential use of topical probiotics, paraprobiotics, and postbiotics in treating AA. However, it concludes that further research is needed to better understand the microbiome's role in AA.

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Research cited in this study

26 / 26 results

Characteristics of Healthy and Androgenetic Alopecia Scalp Microbiome: Effect of Lindera Strychnifolia Roots Extract as a Natural Solution for Its Modulation

research Characteristics of Healthy and Androgenetic Alopecia Scalp Microbiome: Effect of Lindera Strychnifolia Roots Extract as a Natural Solution for Its Modulation

2 citations, August 2020 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science”

Lindera strychnifolia root extract may help balance scalp bacteria and potentially reduce hair loss.

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134 citations, July 2020 in “Experimental dermatology”

Hair follicles are normally protected from the immune system, but when this protection fails, it can cause hair loss in alopecia areata.

research Hair Regrowth Following Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in an Elderly Patient with Alopecia Areata: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

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An elderly man's hair grew back after a treatment that transferred healthy gut bacteria.

research Investigation on Microecology of Hair Root Fungi in Androgenetic Alopecia Patients

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Malassezia yeast linked to hair loss; ketoconazole helps treat it.

research Microbiome in the Hair Follicle of Androgenetic Alopecia Patients

26 citations, May 2019 in “PLOS ONE”

Hair loss patients have different microbes in hair follicles, possibly affecting hair loss.

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48 citations, April 2019 in “PloS one”

Alopecia areata patients have more Propionibacterium acnes and less Staphylococcus epidermidis on their scalps.

research The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review

134 citations, December 2018 in “Dermatology and Therapy”

Some vitamins and minerals like vitamin D and iron can help with certain types of hair loss, but more research is needed for others.

research Comparison of Healthy and Dandruff Scalp Microbiome Reveals the Role of Commensals in Scalp Health

65 citations, October 2018 in “Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology”

Certain bacteria and fungi are linked to healthy scalps and dandruff, suggesting that the scalp's microbial balance affects its health.

research Micronutrients in Hair Loss

10 citations, July 2018 in “Our Dermatology Online”

Some vitamins and minerals are important for preventing hair loss, but treating hair loss with them without a known deficiency is not proven effective.

research An Investigation of Vitamin D Status in Alopecia Areata

37 citations, June 2018 in “Clinical and Experimental Medicine”

People with alopecia areata often have lower vitamin D levels and more inflammation, suggesting vitamin D might be involved in the condition.

research Alopecia Areata and the Gut: The Link Opens Up for Novel Therapeutic Interventions

48 citations, May 2018 in “Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets”

Gut health may influence Alopecia Areata, suggesting new treatments.

research Increased Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

48 citations, May 2018 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

People with alopecia areata often have lower vitamin D levels and are more likely to be deficient in it.

research Immune Privilege Collapse And Alopecia Development: Is Stress A Factor

51 citations, December 2017 in “Skin Appendage Disorders”

Stress may trigger hair loss by affecting immune protection in hair follicles.

research Correlation of Vitamin D and Vitamin D Receptor Expression in Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Clinical Paradigm

29 citations, December 2017 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

People with alopecia areata often have lower vitamin D levels, which are linked to more severe and longer-lasting hair loss, but vitamin D receptor levels in the skin don't show the same pattern and don't predict treatment success.

research The Role of Micronutrients in Alopecia Areata: A Review

63 citations, May 2017 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

People with alopecia areata often have lower levels of vitamin D, zinc, and folate, but more research is needed to understand if supplements can help treat it.

research Serum Vitamin D Level Is Related to Disease Severity in Pediatric Alopecia Areata

28 citations, April 2017 in “Journal of cosmetic dermatology”

Low vitamin D can worsen pediatric alopecia areata.

research Commensal Microbes and Hair Follicle Morphogenesis Coordinately Drive Treg Migration into Neonatal Skin

192 citations, March 2017 in “Cell host & microbe”

Hair follicle development and microbes help regulatory T cells gather in newborn skin.

research Efficacy and Safety of Topical Calcipotriol in Management of Alopecia Areata: A Pilot Study

39 citations, January 2017 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Topical calcipotriol may help treat alopecia areata, especially in those with low vitamin D.

research Isolation and Quantification of Glycosaminoglycans from Human Hair Shaft

6 citations, January 2016 in “Annals of Dermatology”

Human hair contains more glycosaminoglycans in children than adults, and these compounds decrease with age, possibly affecting hair thickness.

research Imbalance of T-Helper 17 and Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Alopecia Areata

62 citations, 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.

research Alopecia Areata Is Driven by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes and Is Reversed by JAK Inhibition

701 citations, August 2014 in “Nature medicine”

Alopecia areata can be reversed by JAK inhibitors, promoting hair regrowth.

research Alopecia Areata: A Review

29 citations, June 2013 in “Journal of the Saudi Society of Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery”

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune hair loss condition treated with corticosteroids, and histologic confirmation is the best diagnosis method.

research Successful Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Topical Calcipotriol

51 citations, January 2012 in “Annals of dermatology/Annals of Dermatology”

A boy with alopecia regrew hair using a vitamin D cream after other treatments failed.

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

717 citations, June 2010 in “Nature”

Alopecia areata involves both innate and adaptive immunity, with specific genes linked to the disease.

research Maintenance of Hair Follicle Immune Privilege Is Linked to Prevention of NK Cell Attack

253 citations, December 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Hair follicles prevent NK cell attacks to avoid hair loss.

research Abnormalities in the Hair Morphology of Patients with Some but Not All Types of Mucopolysaccharidoses

22 citations, March 2007 in “European journal of pediatrics”

Certain types of mucopolysaccharidoses cause significant hair abnormalities.

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research Clinical Translation of Microbiome Research in Alopecia Areata: A New Perspective

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