Hyperuricemia is associated with androgenetic alopecia in men: A cross-sectional case-control study

Factors associated with early-onset androgenetic alopecia: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Early-onset androgenetic alopecia (AGA) has been associated with various chronic conditions, including metabolic syndrome (MetS). Gaining a deep understanding of early-onset AGA may enable earlier intervention in individuals at high risks. This scoping review aims to explore the risk factors and etiology, associated conditions, and adverse effects on wellbeing in early-onset AGA.

METHODS

Electronic literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRIAL. Eligible studies included case-control, cohort, cross-sectional, and meta-analysis studies. Selected studies needed to clearly define early-onset AGA cases or include only cases starting before the age of 40 and compare them with appropriate controls. The exclusion criteria comprised editorials, commentaries, case series, and non-systematic reviews, among others. Data extraction involved collecting study characteristics, methodologies, main outcomes, and findings. Descriptive tables were used to summarize key information and relevant variables when necessary.

RESULTS

Among the 65 eligible articles, 67.69% were case-control studies and 78.46% evaluated only male patients. "Early-onset" was defined as cases developing before the age of 30 years in 43.08% of the studies. The Hamilton-Norwood scale was the most frequently used method for evaluating the severity of alopecia in men (69.23%). Reported risk factors for early-onset AGA included a family history of AGA, cigarette smoking, unhealthy dietary habits, and a high body mass index. Early-onset AGA may also be associated with hormonal profiles, 5α-reductase enzyme activity, androgen receptor genes, and some susceptibility loci. Comorbidities investigated included MetS, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and Parkinson's disease. Men with early-onset AGA may have reduced treatment efficacy with drug like rosuvastatin, metformin or lisinopril for dyslipidemia, prediabetes, or hypertension. Additionally, young men with AGA tended to suffer from psychological issues such as anxiety and low self-esteem compared to those without hair loss.

CONCLUSION

Early-onset AGA is a complex condition with various risk factors and etiology, associated comorbidities, and potential implications for treatment response and psychological health.

Serum uric acid level in male patients with androgenetic alopecia: A prospective study in China

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the serum level of uric acid (UA) in male patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and to compare the level with that of men without AGA. In addition, the comparison of the serum level of uric acid (UA) before and after treatment with finasteride was performed.

METHOD

A total of 120 male patients with AGA and 120 males without AGA were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients with AGA were randomized into two groups: 60 patients were given 1 mg finasteride orally every day for 6 months, and 60 patients were given placebo. Serum UA level was detected at the first visit and after the 6-month treatment by colorimetric analysis.

RESULTS

Before treatment, the mean serum UA level in patients with AGA was higher than that in the control group (401.52±83.27 umol/L vs 362.67±60.88 umol/L, P<0.050), and a higher proportion of hyperuricemia was found in patients with AGA (2 9.17% vs 15.00%, P<0.050). After treatment, the mean serum UA level in the finasteride group decreased significantly, from 405.87±87.12 umol/L to 381.84±82.50 umol/L (P<0.050), and from 397.17±79.73 to 394.18±78.09 umol/L in the placebo group (P = 0.370). Patients with AGA with hyperuricemia had a higher BMI (25.38±3.43 kg/m2) when compared to the patients without hyperuricemia (23.88±2.64 kg/m2). For every unit of BMI increase in patients with AGA, the risk of hyperuricemia increased by 30.5% (P = 0.030). Furthermore, the levels of UA were different in the finasteride group before and after treatment (P = 0.049, 95%CI, 0.080, 47.970).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that AGA has a relationship with hyperuricemia, and the level of serum UA can decrease with the treatment of finasteride.

Mechanistic insights of soluble uric acid-induced insulin resistance: Insulin signaling and beyond

Hyperuricemia is a metabolic disease caused by purine nucleotide metabolism disorder. The prevalence of hyperuricemia is increasing worldwide, with a growing trend in the younger populations. Although numerous studies have indicated that hyperuricemia may be an independent risk factor for insulin resistance, the causal relationship between the two is controversial. There are few reviews, however, focusing on the relationship between uric acid (UA) and insulin resistance from experimental studies. In this review, we summarized the experimental models related to soluble UA-induced insulin resistance in pancreas and peripheral tissues, including skeletal muscles, adipose tissue, liver, heart/cardiomyocytes, vascular endothelial cells and macrophages. In addition, we summarized the research advances about the key mechanism of UA-induced insulin resistance. Moreover, we attempt to identify novel targets for the treatment of hyperuricemia-related insulin resistance. Lastly, we hope that the present review will encourage further researches to solve the chicken-and-egg dilemma between UA and insulin resistance, and provide strategies for the pathogenesis and treatment of hyperuricemia related metabolic diseases.

Noriega L, Tovar A, Alegría-Torres JA. Polymorphisms of the genes ABCG2, SLC22A12 and XDH and their relation with hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia in Mexican young adults

Background: Hyperuricemia is a pathological condition associated with risk factors of cardiovascular disease. In this study, three genetic polymorphisms were genotyped as predisposing factors of hyperuricemia. Methods: A total of 860 Mexicans (129 cases and 731 controls) between 18 and 25 years of age were genotyped for the ABCG2 (Q191K),  SLC22A12 (517G>A), and  XDH (518T>C) polymorphisms, as predisposing factors of hyperuricemia. Biochemical parameters were measured by spectrophotometry, while genetic polymorphisms were analyzed by real-time PCR. An analysis of the risk of hyperuricemia in relation to the variables studied was carried out using a logistic regression. Results: Male sex, being overweight or obese, having hypercholesterolemia or having hypertriglyceridemia were factors associated with hyperuricemia ( p ≤ 0.05). The ABCG2 polymorphism was associated with hyperuricemia (OR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.41-4.17, p = 0.001) and hypercholesterolemia (OR = 4.89, 95% CI: 1.54-15.48, p = 0.003), employing a dominant model, but only in male participants. Conclusions: The ABCG2 (Q191K) polymorphism increases the risk of hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia in young Mexican males.

Polymorphisms of the genes ABCG2, SLC22A12 and XDH and their relation with hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia in Mexican young adults

Background: Hyperuricemia is a pathological condition associated with risk factors of cardiovascular disease. In this study, three genetic polymorphisms were genotyped as predisposing factors of hyperuricemia. Methods: A total of 860 Mexicans between 18 and 25 years of age were genotyped for the ABCG2 (rs2231142), SLC22A12 (rs476037), and XDH (rs1042039) polymorphisms, as predisposing factors of hyperuricemia. Biochemical parameters were measured by spectrophotometry, while genetic polymorphisms were analyzed by real-time PCR. An analysis of the risk of hyperuricemia in relation to the variables studied was carried out using a logistic regression. Results: Male sex, being overweight or obese, having hypercholesterolemia or having hypertriglyceridemia were factors associated with hyperuricemia ( p ≤ 0.05). The ABCG2 polymorphism was associated with hyperuricemia (OR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.41-4.17, p = 0.001) and hypercholesterolemia (OR = 4.89, 95% CI: 1.54-15.48, p = 0.003), employing a dominant model, but only in male participants. Conclusions: The ABCG2 (rs2231142) polymorphism increases the risk of hyperuricemia and hypercholesterolemia in young Mexican males.