The Therapeutic Effect and the Changed Serum Zinc Level after Zinc Supplementation in Alopecia Areata Patients Who Had a Low Serum Zinc Level

Abstract

Background: It has been reported that some alopecia areata patients have zinc deficiency. There have also been several reports published concerning oral zinc sulfate therapy, with encouraging results, in some alopecia areata patients. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of oral zinc supplementation for twelve weeks in alopecia areata patients who had a low serum zinc level. Methods: Oral zinc gluconate (50 mg/T/day) supplementation was given to alopecia areata patients without any other treatment for twelve weeks. The serum zinc level was measured before and after zinc supplementation. A fourpoint scale of hair regrowth was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of oral zinc supplementation in these patients. Results: Fifteen alopecia areata patients were enrolled in this study. After the therapy, the serum zinc levels increased significantly from 56.9 μg/ to 84.5μg/dl. Positive therapeutic effects were observed for 9 out of 15 patients (66.7%) although this was not statistically significant. The serum zinc levels of the positive response group increased more than those of the negative response group (p=0.003). Conclusion: Zinc supplementation needs to be given to the alopecia areata patients who have a low serum zinc level. We suggest that zinc supplementation could become an adjuvant therapy for the alopecia areata patients with a low serum zinc level and for whom the traditional therapeutic methods have been unsuccessful. (Ann Dermatol 21(2) 142

An overview of zinc and its importance in dermatology-Part II: The association of zinc with some dermatologic disorders

“…For the first time in Korea, Park et al showed that oral Zn had a positive effect in the treatment of AA, but this effect was not statistically significant. This clinical trial study enrolled 15 AA patients with low serum Zn levels, revealed that serum Zn levels of the positive response group increased more than those of the negative response group [22]. On the other hand, Ead's clinical trial study showed that the oral administration of Zn had no effect on treatment of AA [29].…”

“…Oral Zn supplementation has been used for many decades for the treatment of TE [22,23,24]. Studies have shown that oral Zn supplementation improves hair growth [22,25].…”

“…Studies have shown that oral Zn supplementation improves hair growth [22,25]. It appears that Zn is effective in the treatment of TE via the following mechanisms, all of which are required for normal control of the hair growth cycle:…”

“…It has been reported that some patients with AA have significantly decreased serum levels of Zn [7,21], but its pathogenesis in these patients is unknown [22]. In a case-control study on 50 patients with AA, Bhat et al demonstrated that serum Zn levels were significantly decreased in patients whose disease was extensive, prolonged, and resistant to treatment, whereas serum Cu and Mg levels showed insignificant rises compared to the controls [27].…”

“…Generally, Zn supplementation can be prescribed as adjuvant therapy in combination with other therapeutic methods in the treatment of AA, especially in patients with low serum Zn levels [22].…”