Serum Elements Status of Androgenetic Alopecia Subjects Exposed to Cigarette Smoke or Alcohol

The study investigated the relationship between androgenetic alopecia (AGA), smoking, alcohol consumption, and serum trace element levels in Nigerian subjects. It involved 30 subjects each in smoking, alcohol-consuming, and non-smoking/non-alcohol-consuming AGA groups, with 40 controls. Results showed that serum levels of zinc, copper, selenium, manganese, and magnesium were significantly lower in smokers, while copper and selenium were decreased in alcohol consumers. The duration of alopecia was longer in smoking AGA subjects. The study concluded that smoking and alcohol might lead to early AGA onset, potentially mediated by trace element alterations, but emphasized the need for larger studies to confirm these findings.