Ischemia-modified albumin as a possible marker of oxidative stress in patients with telogen effluvium

Diagnostic Value of Ischemia-Modified Albumin as a Biomarker in Patients with Peripheral Vertigo at Emergency Department of State Hospital in Ankara: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

In previous studies, it was shown that ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is an early marker of ischemia and different pathologies. However, IMA level change is unknown in patients with peripheral vertigo. It is also known that serum albumin levels can change in some patients with peripheral vertigo and that changes in serum albumin levels affect IMA levels.

AIM

In this study, we aimed to assess IMA, albumin-adjusted IMA, and albumin levels in patients with peripheral vertigo by comparing a control group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, case-control study included 46 patients aged 18-70 years who presented to emergency department with vertigo. Forty-nine healthy volunteers without known disease were included as controls. Serum albumin and IMA levels were measured, and albumin-adjusted IMA levels were calculated. Data were analyzed by statistical methods.

RESULTS

Mean age was 54.0 ± 15.7 in the patient group, whereas 43.8 ± 9.9 years in the control group. Albumin level was found to be significantly lower in patients with peripheral vertigo when compared to controls (P < 0.001). IMA level was found to be higher in the patient group compared to the controls, but it was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). However, albumin-adjusted IMA, which shows the real IMA level, was found to be higher than the control group (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

It was observed that IMA level was slightly higher in patients with peripheral vertigo, although not significantly, compared to the control group. However, the albumin-adjusted IMA level, which indicates the real IMA level, was observed to be higher in this group than in the control group. It was determined that the sensitivity of this test was 34%, and the specificity was 87%. Patients with peripheral vertigo had lower albumin levels compared to controls.

Evaluation of the Safety and Effectiveness of Nutritional Supplements for Treating Hair Loss: A Systematic Review

Importance

Despite the widespread use of nutritional supplements and dietary interventions for treating hair loss, the safety and effectiveness of available products remain unclear.

Objective

To evaluate and compile the findings of all dietary and nutritional interventions for treatment of hair loss among individuals without a known baseline nutritional deficiency.

Evidence Review

The MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases were searched from inception through October 20, 2021, to identify articles written in English with original findings from investigations of dietary and nutritional interventions in individuals with alopecia or hair loss without a known baseline nutritional deficiency. Quality was assessed with Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine criteria. Outcomes of interest were disease course, both objectively and subjectively measured. Data were evaluated from January 3 to 11, 2022.

Findings

The database searches yielded 6347 citations to which 11 articles from reference lists were added. Of this total, 30 articles were included: 17 randomized clinical trials (RCTs), 11 clinical studies (non-RCT), and 2 case series studies. No diet-based interventional studies met inclusion criteria. Studies of nutritional interventions with the highest-quality evidence showed the potential benefit of Viviscal, Nourkrin, Nutrafol, Lamdapil, Pantogar, capsaicin and isoflavone, omegas 3 and 6 with antioxidants, apple nutraceutical, total glucosides of paeony and compound glycyrrhizin tablets, zinc, tocotrienol, and pumpkin seed oil. Kimchi and cheonggukjang, vitamin D3, and Forti5 had low-quality evidence for disease course improvement. Adverse effects were rare and mild for all the therapies evaluated.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this systematic review should be interpreted in the context of each study's design; however, this work suggests a potential role for nutritional supplements in the treatment of hair loss. Physicians should engage in shared decision-making by covering the potential risks and benefits of these treatments with patients experiencing hair loss. Future research should focus on larger RCTs with active comparators.

Ischemia-Modified Albumin—A Potential New Marker of Oxidative Stress in Dermatological Diseases

There is growing evidence that oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous conditions, including dermatological diseases. Various markers are available to assess oxidative stress, but none of these can be considered the ideal marker. Recent studies have shown that ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is not only an indicator of ischemia, but also a marker of oxidative stress. We have conducted a narrative review to evaluate the role of IMA in dermatological diseases. We have identified 24 original articles that evaluated IMA in skin disorders (psoriasis, acne vulgaris, hidradenitis suppurativa, urticaria, vitiligo and Behcet’s disease) and hair disorders (alopecia areata, androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium). The results of the studies analyzed reveal that IMA may be considered a new marker of oxidative stress in dermatological diseases and offer new insights into the pathogenesis of these disorders and the theoretical basis for the development of new, effective, targeted therapies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first review that gathers up data on the role of IMA in dermatological diseases.

Scalp application of antioxidants improves scalp condition and reduces hair shedding in a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

Increasing hair fullness is a global unmet need for many men and women. An approach to the problem is to decrease hair fall or shedding by reducing scalp stratum corneum oxidation and barrier damage to increase hair retention. This study evaluated a combination of functional antioxidants and barrier-enhancing cosmetic ingredients to improve scalp condition thereby enabling stronger hair anchorage and longer retention.

METHODS

Male and female subjects with normal scalp condition and self-perceived hair thinning participated in a 24-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical study assessing either a regimen of treatment shampoo and leave-on treatment containing functional antioxidant and barrier-enhancing agents or an identical placebo chassis shampoo control. The functional ingredients were piroctone olamine, zinc pyrithione, zinc carbonate, niacinamide, panthenol and caffeine. At baseline and after 8, 16 and 24 weeks of product use, several measurements were taken: hair shedding, total hair count (by phototrichogram), hair samples, TEWL and evaluation of biomarkers of scalp and hair conditions. Subjects also completed self-assessment questionnaires.

RESULTS

Statistically significant effects for functional ingredient-containing treatment regimen versus a placebo control shampoo formulation were observed for reduced hair shedding, increased total hair count, reduced TEWL and improvement in scalp biomarker values. Subjects also noticed these improvements assessed via self-assessment questionnaires.

CONCLUSIONS

These results establish that the use of functional antioxidant and barrier-enhancing agents to further improve scalp condition can enable a reduction in hair shedding and thus an increase in perceived hair fullness. The underlying improvements in scalp condition suggest the hair benefits were achieved as a result of improved scalp skin barrier and scalp condition leading to a viable preventative approach for hair thinning.

Telogen Effluvium - a review of the science and current obstacles

Telogen effluvium (TE) is a common cause of diffuse non-scarring hair loss that is usually precipitated by physiological stress such as childbirth or sudden weight loss. Despite its high rate of remission, this phenomenon of sudden excessive hair loss can be very worrisome and upsetting for affected individuals and may significantly impact their quality of life. Due to the multifactorial causes and precipitants of TE, it is often challenging to diagnose and manage. Further, the mechanisms through which physiological stress influences the human hair cycle is unknown, and there are no targeted treatments for the management of TE. This review will describe the approach in making a diagnosis of TE, summarize the latest developments made in understanding the mechanisms of TE, outline the treatments tried, and recommend ways for advancing the study of this dermatological condition.