Altered polyamine profiling in the hair of patients with androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata

Abstract

Hair follicles are among the most highly proliferative tissues. Polyamines are associated with proliferation, and several polyamines including spermidine and spermine play anti‐inflammatory roles. Androgenic alopecia results from increased dihydrotestosterone metabolism, and alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. This study aimed to investigate differences in polyamine profiles in hair samples between patients with androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. Polyamine concentrations were determined through high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Hair samples were derivatized with isobutyl chloroformate. Differences in polyamine levels were observed between androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata compared with normal controls. In particular, polyamine levels were higher in alopecia areata patients than in normal controls. Certain polyamines displayed different concentrations between the androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata groups, suggesting that some polyamines, particularly N‐acetyl putrescine (P = 0.007) and N‐acetyl cadaverine (P = 0.0021), are significantly different in androgenic alopecia. Furthermore, spermidine (P = 0.021) was significantly different in alopecia areata. Our findings suggest that non‐invasive quantification of hair polyamines may help distinguish between androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. Our study provides novel insights into physiological alterations in patients with androgenic alopecia and those with alopecia areata and reveals some differences in polyamine levels in hair loss diseases with two different modes of action.

Untargeted Metabolomics and Steroid Signatures in Urine of Male Pattern Baldness Patients after Finasteride Treatment for a Year

“…In particular, histidine deficiencies among essential amino acids and alanine deficiencies among nonessential amino acids were found in over 90% of male pattern baldness patients [18]. Additionally, in our previous study, we confirmed that polyamines synthesized through arginine to agmatine are associated with pattern baldness in human hair samples [19,20]. It is known that aromatic amino acids, which are significantly different in our study, e.g., phenylalanine and tyrosine, are precursors to the formation of important hormones that influence nerves, mood, and behavior and are associated with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease [21,22].…”

Alterations in Pattern Baldness According to Sex: Hair Metabolomics Approach

“…In particular, ornithine decarboxylase, a key enzyme in the synthesis of polyamines, is expressed in the vicinity of the hair follicle bulge [44]. Therefore, we conducted analysis of polyamines, which are biosynthesized via ornithine, and their relation to different types of hair loss such as androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata [45]. We also conducted polyamine profiling of different scalp regions [46].…”

Polyamine Oxidase Expression Is Downregulated by 17β-Estradiol via Estrogen Receptor 2 in Human MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

“…Estrogen stimulation increases the synthesis and accumulation of polyamines in ovariectomized rats [ 22 ]. The reduction in polyamines is responsible for various diseases, such as hair loss [ 23 , 24 ], ischemic brain [ 25 ], neurodegenerative diseases [ 26 ], collagen-induced arthritis [ 27 ], and osteoporosis [ 28 ]. Some disorders associated with polyamine deficiency overlap with the clinical implications of menopause.…”