Simvastatin Decreases Alopecia Areata-Associated Inflammation Through Effects on Isoprenoid Metabolites

The study investigated the effects of simvastatin on alopecia areata (AA), a T-cell-mediated disorder causing hair loss. In a mouse model, simvastatin was found to promote hair re-growth by reducing inflammatory markers in the skin and decreasing activation of STAT1 and expression of NKG2D in skin-draining lymph nodes. These changes were linked to lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides in mice with complete hair re-growth. Simvastatin also reduced the proliferation of cytotoxic T cells and primary T lymphocytes in vitro, an effect partially reversed by adding isoprenoid metabolites. The findings suggested that simvastatin disrupted isoprenylation, impacting lymphocytic subpopulations responsible for hair follicle damage in AA.