Evaluation of free oxygen radical and antioxidant capacity in alopecia areata

Abstract

Alopecia areata (AA) is a recurrent non-scarring hair loss that can affect any hair-bearing area. The prevalence of AA in the general population is known to be 0.2% and approximately 1.7% of the population experiences an episode of AA in their life time.1 The pathophysiology of AA still remains unclear but there is no doubt that AA is an organ-specific autoimmune disease mediated by autoreactive T cells targeting hair follicles. In addition, various environmental factors including emotional stress, infection and medications have been suggested as triggering factors of AA. Recently, some studies reported that increased oxidative stress might play a role in development of AA.