Assessment of Serum Level of Myostatin in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia and Its Relation to Insulin Resistance

The study assessed serum myostatin levels in 30 patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and compared them to 20 healthy controls. It found that myostatin levels were significantly higher in AGA patients (mean=397.5) compared to controls (mean=137.9, p < 0.001). Additionally, the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was also significantly higher in AGA patients (mean=4.7) compared to controls (mean=2.7, p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin levels between the groups. The study suggested that myostatin and HOMA-IR could be independent indicators of susceptibility and severity of AGA, recommending further evaluation of myostatin's role in the disease's pathogenesis.