MARKERS OF ANGIOGENESIS IN PATIENTS WITH ALOPECIA AREATA

Abstract

This study was aimed to evaluate the level of production of angiogenesis markers, namely VEGF, sVEGFR1, EGF and NO system in 67 patients with alopecia areata, depending on the pathology severity and activity. The content of stable metabolites of NO (NO2 and NO3) and NOS was studied in blood plasma using a spectrophotometric method. Growth factors and sVEGFR1 were investigated in serum by solid enzyme−linked immunosorbent assay. At an active stage with a moderate to serious severity of alopecia areata, the VEGF value was significantly higher. In chronic course, the VEGF level was significantly decreased at all severity levels, but the minimum was observed in the patients with a severe stage. The most significant decrease in the concentration of sVEGFR1, an increase in the content of EGF was diagnosed at an active stage with a severe alopecia areata. With signs of disease progression to severe stage, the level of NO, NO3, iNOS was as high as possible. At a chronic stage, their significance was significantly reduced relative to secretion in active manifestations of the disease (p < 0.01). In patients at an active stage with moderate and severe course of alopecia areata, the content of NO2 and cNOS was significantly lower than the level of indices at chronic disease. Correlation analysis revealed the existence of complex relationships between angiogenic factors, features of the disease course. Identified disorders can create conditions for the development of endothelial dysfunction and indicate a direct involvement of them into the mechanisms of formation of alopecia areata. Key words: alopecia areata, angiogenesis, endothelial dysfunction.