Assessment of Vitamin D Receptors in Alopecia Areata and Androgenetic Alopecia
May 2016
in “
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology
”
TLDR Low vitamin D receptor levels found in hair loss patients; topical vitamin D treatment suggested.
This study assessed the levels of vitamin D receptors (VDR) in patients with alopecia areata (AA) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA) compared to controls. The results showed significantly lower serum and tissue VDR levels in both AA and AGA patients compared to controls. The study suggests that VDR may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AA and AGA and recommends further studies on VDR mutations in AA and AGA, as well as the evaluation of a possible link between vitamin D, VDR, and sex hormones in the pathogenesis of AGA. The use of topical vitamin D analogs in the treatment of AA and AGA is also suggested.