TITLE:
Defective Expression of the Gap Junction Protein Pannexin-1 Channel Contributes to the Formation of PCOS-Realted Androgenetic Alopecia
AUTHORS:
Sule Gencoglu, Fatma Tanilir Cagiran, Zercan Kali
KEYWORDS:
Androgenetic Alopecia, PCOS, Androgen, Pannexin-1 Channel, Inflammation
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Reproductive Sciences,
Vol.11 No.4,
September
28,
2023
ABSTRACT: Objective: To determine serum pannexin-1 channel levels and their association with
hair loss in women with PCOS diagnosed with female androgenetic alopecia
(FAGA). Materials and Methods: Thirty-five women with PCOS
who presented with diffuse and treatment-resistant progressive hair loss and
were diagnosed with FAGA were included in the study. 25 patients who were
diagnosed with female androgenetic alopecia but did not have PCOS were
considered as the control group. PCOS and control groups were matched by age.
Follicular miniaturization, displacement of terminal hairs with vellus hairs,
and a diffuse decrease in hair density were accepted as FAGA in the trcihoscopy
examination of the vertex and bitempoaral area. On the third day of the
menstrual cycle serum FSH, LH, testosterone, PRL and insulin levels were
measured. Insulin resistance was calculated with HOMA-IR. Serum pannexin-1
channel levels of each group were mesured with ELISA. Results: Serum
pannexin 1 channels levels of FAGA group due to PCOS were found to be significantly
higher than FAGA patients in the control group (2.72 ± 1.09 ng/mL vs 1.65 ±
0.97 ng/mL, p 2.5 in the PCOS group compared to the controls.
PRL values were similar except for one patient with elevated PRL. Serum FSH
values were the same in both groups. A positive and significant correlation was
found between pannexin 1 channels levels and HOMA-IR and serum testosterone
levels (r = 0.650, p Conclusions: In addition to hyperandrogenemia, increased pannexin 1 channel levels may play
a role in the etiology of PCOS associated FAGA, as it impairs the communication
between the skin and hair follicle.