Serum Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia

Abstract

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss. Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (FABP4), also termed adipocyte protein 2 (aP2), is an adipokine synthesized and released predominantly from adipocytes and, to a lesser extent, produced in macrophages and endothelial cells. Elevated levels of FABP4 are closely linked with the development of obesity, DM, hypertension and atherosclerosis. we aimed to assess the level of serum FABP4 in patients with AGA. This case-control study was conducted on thirty male patients and twenty female patients complaining of androgenetic alopecia, and thirty age and BMI matched healthy volunteers. Patients were recruited from outpatient clinic of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology Department of Benha University Hospitals during the period from December 2017 to June 2018.All participants were tested for determination of fatty acid binding protein 4 serum levels. AGA patients showed significantly higher FABP4 levels when compared to controls. Serum FABP4 level was significantly higher in AGA patients than in control group so it might play a role in androgenetic alopecia pathogenesis. Moreover, it could be considered a biomarker for early diagnosis of the disease with high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rate.