ABSTRACT
CONTEXT: Studying the link between prolactin and autoimmunity has gained much ground over the past years. Its role played in alopecia areata (AA) is not clear yet, as previous reports yielded controversial results. AIMS: This study aimed to measure the serum level of prolactin and to detect the expression of its receptor in AA, in an attempt to highlight its possible role in the pathogenesis of this disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A case-control study of 30 AA patients and 20 controls from outpatient clinic were undertaken. Every patient was subjected to history taking and clinical examination to determine the severity of alopecia tool (SALT) score. Blood samples were taken from patients and controls to determine the serum prolactin level. Scalp biopsies were obtained from the lesional skin of patients and normal skin of controls for assessment of the prolactin receptor. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Depending upon the type of data, t-test, analysis of variance test, Chi-square, receiver operator characteristic curve were undertaken. RESULTS: On comparing the serum prolactin level between patients and controls, no significant difference was found, while the mean tissue level of prolactin receptor was significantly higher in patients than in controls. In patients, a significant positive correlation was found between the prolactin receptor and the SALT score. CONCLUSIONS: Prolactin plays a role in AA, and this role is probably through the prolactin receptors rather than the serum prolactin level.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis and vasodilatation are reported associated with the development of verruca vulgaris, yet vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression was not detected in the lesions of common warts. Angiopoietins, as angiogenesis factors, have not been studied before in warts. OBJECTIVES: To assess tissue expression of angiopoietin 1 (Ang1), angiopoietin 2 (Ang2), and their receptor Tie2 in the lesions of common warts to try to identify their role as pro-angiogenic factors in the development of these lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients with common skin warts and 50 age- and sex-matched controls were included in this study. Four millimeter punch skin biopsies were taken from warts and from normal skin of controls for the detection of gene expression of Ang1, Ang2, and Tie2 using real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The mean levels of Ang1, Ang2, and Tie2 were significantly higher in the lesions of common warts compared to the normal skin of controls (P < 0.001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Upregulation of Ang1, Ang2, and Tie2 seems to play a possible role in the angiogenesis associated with common skin warts.