Serum Gelsolin Levels in PCOS-Related Androgenetic Alopecia
January 2023
in “
International journal of clinical medicine
”
TLDR Women with PCOS and hair loss have lower levels of the protein gelsolin in their blood.
The study titled "Serum Gelsolin Levels in PCOS-Related Androgenetic Alopecia" involved 60 participants, 30 with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA), and 30 with AGA but without PCOS. The research aimed to determine serum gelsolin levels in PCOS women with AGA. Gelsolin is a protein that, when deficient, can cause inflammation and apoptosis. The results showed that serum gelsolin levels were significantly lower in the PCOS group (160.1 ± 34.2 ng/mL) compared to the control group (188.6 ± 46.7 ng/mL, p < 0.03). Additionally, a negative and significant relationship was found between serum gelsolin and testosterone levels (r = 0.68, p < 0.02). The study suggests that decreased gelsolin levels, characterized by increased inflammation, may contribute to hair loss in PCOS patients. However, the exact mechanism by which androgens impair the functions or production of gelsolin is still unknown.