![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Female pattern hair loss is the most common form of non-scaring alopecia in women. The onset may start at any age following adolescence and the incidence increases with age to reach 65% of menopausal women. Pattern hair loss in females can be emotionally distressing, effecting the quality of life and it may lead to anxiety &depression. Clinically, FPHL shows progressive thinning of hair over the vertex while the frontal hairline is usually retained, with replacement of the terminal follicle by vellus like follicles. Trichoscopy shows the typical hair miniaturization. The etiology is multifactorial including genetic factors, hormones, oxidative stress &inflammation with aggravation of external aggressors. Oxidative stress can occur in hair follicles (HFs) due to imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and elimination. The ability of hair follicles to maintain redox homeostasis requires efficient antioxidant defense mechanisms. Nrf2 is a nuclear transcription factor that has a powerful antioxidant role through the regulation of the production of a battery of genes and enzymes. The miniaturization process in FPHL is associated with inflammatory lymphocytic infiltrate and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which act as a source of ROS resulting in damage of nuclear lipid, proteins and DNA. Activation of Nrf2 protects inductive fibroblasts in the dermal papilla, maintain proliferation of matrix keratinocytes and prevents apoptosis. This work aimed at investigating the possible association between FPHL and serum Nrf2 and to assess the relationship between Nrf2 and oxidative stress in studied patients. |