The Role Of Local And Systemic Leptin In Androgenetic Alopecia

[alscarmuzza]

C Chu1 , C Yang1 , L Lin2 , M Hughes3 and Y Tsai4 1 Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, 2 Yuan’s Dermatology Clinic, Taichung, Taiwan, 3 International Research Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan and 4 Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan

Leptin, one of the major signaling molecules from white adipose tissues, has been reported to modulate the growth of hair follicles. Obesity is linked with greater severity of androgenetic alopecia (Androgenetic Alopecia) suggesting that metabolic factors, including leptin, play a role in hair loss diseases. This study aims to investigate the role of leptin in the pathogenesis of Androgenetic Alopecia. Leptin can reach the hair follicle via the systemic circulation and from the local adipose tissue of skin. Therefore we first evaluate the relation between plasma leptin level with the severity and risk of Androgenetic Alopecia in men. In 29 Androgenetic Alopecia and 19 non-Androgenetic Alopecia subjects, the plasma leptin level was significantly higher in Androgenetic Alopecia subjects compared to non-Androgenetic Alopecia subjects (4.45 vs. 2.76 ng/ml, P < 0.05). Higher plasma leptin levels were associated with a greater risk of developing Androgenetic Alopecia after controlling for age and body mass index of the subjects (odds ratio¼ 2.77, P < 0.05). Then we evaluate the gene expression pattern in the adipose tissue of normal (occipital) scalp and bald (frontal) scalp from the same individual. Leptin mRNA expression was significantly lower in the adipose tissue from bald scalp compared to normal scalp (n¼8, P < 0.01). The expression of BMP-2 gene in the adipose tissue is significantly higher in the bald scalp then then normal scalp (n¼7, P < 0.05). Although leptin showed differential expression in bald vs. normal scalp and Androgenetic Alopecia vs. non-Androgenetic Alopecia subjects, further research is warranted to elucidate the clinical implication of leptin in Androgenetic Alopecia.

 

[bridgeburn]

C Chu1 , C Yang1 , L Lin2 , M Hughes3 and Y Tsai4 1 Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan, 2 Yuan’s Dermatology Clinic, Taichung, Taiwan, 3 International Research Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan and 4 Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan

Leptin, one of the major signaling molecules from white adipose tissues, has been reported to modulate the growth of hair follicles. Obesity is linked with greater severity of androgenetic alopecia (Androgenetic Alopecia) suggesting that metabolic factors, including leptin, play a role in hair loss diseases. This study aims to investigate the role of leptin in the pathogenesis of Androgenetic Alopecia. Leptin can reach the hair follicle via the systemic circulation and from the local adipose tissue of skin. Therefore we first evaluate the relation between plasma leptin level with the severity and risk of Androgenetic Alopecia in men. In 29 Androgenetic Alopecia and 19 non-Androgenetic Alopecia subjects, the plasma leptin level was significantly higher in Androgenetic Alopecia subjects compared to non-Androgenetic Alopecia subjects (4.45 vs. 2.76 ng/ml, P < 0.05). Higher plasma leptin levels were associated with a greater risk of developing Androgenetic Alopecia after controlling for age and body mass index of the subjects (odds ratio¼ 2.77, P < 0.05). Then we evaluate the gene expression pattern in the adipose tissue of normal (occipital) scalp and bald (frontal) scalp from the same individual. Leptin mRNA expression was significantly lower in the adipose tissue from bald scalp compared to normal scalp (n¼8, P < 0.01). The expression of BMP-2 gene in the adipose tissue is significantly higher in the bald scalp then then normal scalp (n¼7, P < 0.05). Although leptin showed differential expression in bald vs. normal scalp and Androgenetic Alopecia vs. non-Androgenetic Alopecia subjects, further research is warranted to elucidate the clinical implication of leptin in Androgenetic Alopecia.

thanks for posting, im a little confused. Ive always felt from observations that fat people are less likely to be bald than skinnier folks. This says that theres more leptin in the blood of baldies but less leptin expression in bald scalp? so im wondering if leptin is good or bad and maybe too much leptin caused the cells to become leptin resistant so it has less effect.

 

[alscarmuzza]

thanks for posting, im a little confused. Ive always felt from observations that fat people are less likely to be bald than skinnier folks. This says that theres more leptin in the blood of baldies but less leptin expression in bald scalp? so im wondering if leptin is good or bad and maybe too much leptin caused the cells to become leptin resistant so it has less effect.

It is confusing. The way I read this: Leptin is the hormone that tells your brain whether you have enough caloric intake to maintain homeostasis. If you are starving, then Leptin is deceased because it is produced in fat cells. This tells your brain that you need to eat. It also changes your metabolic state. So you become lethargic to conserve calories. Obese people are likely Leptin resistant. That is; their brain is not receiving the high Leptin signal. So they feel hungry all the time.

In regards to hair I would postulate that the low mRNA Leptin level indicates a state of Leptin resistance. Not hearing the signal. You might take this a step further- what are the bio effects of starvation? Anorexics display an arrested anagen stage of hair follicles. Over time, then hair loss. Not in a pattern, but diffusely. From what I've read on Leptin resistance, it is affected by diet. Chiefly, the Western diet. Wherever it is exported, obesity follows. And I assume, Leptin resistance. This is all just me trying to connect the dots here, and not based on any scientific study.