Alopecia areata (AA) and vitiligo are both common skin diseases of autoimmune origin. Both alopecia areata and vitiligo have shown to be affected by oxidative stress. The present work is aimed at evaluating and comparing the serum proinflammatory cytokine levels in AA and nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV). A cross-sectional study was conducted of 33 patients with AA, 30 patients with NSV, and 30 healthy controls. Serum levels of interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin- (IL-) 1β, and IL-6 were determined quantitatively by ELISA method. Our analysis identified a signature of oxidative stress associated with AA and NSV, characterized by elevated levels of IFN-γ (AA: p=0.007283; NSV: p=0.038467), IL-1β (AA; NSV: p≤0.001), and IL-6 (AA; NSV: p≤0.001). IL-6 was also significantly increased in NSV patients in comparison with AA patients (p=0.004485). Our results supported the hypothesis that oxidative stress may play a significant role in promoting and amplifying the inflammatory process both in AA and vitiligo. The complex understanding of both disease etiopathogenesis involves interrelationships between oxidative stress and autoimmunity. The clinical study registration number is RNN/266/16/KE.

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Introduction: Alopecia areata (AA) and vitiligo are both skin diseases of autoimmune origin. AA is characterized by patchy hair loss primarily on the scalp but may involve other areas as well, while vitiligo is caused by the destruction of melanocytes and results in the appearance of white patches on any part of the body. Many facts indicate similar pathogenesis of these diseases. Both dermatoses are associated with frequent coexistence of other autoimmune diseases and share common genetic risk factors. Recent data support the theory of the involvement of IL-17 in the pathogenesis of both AA and vitiligo. Aim: To evaluate and compare the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17 in patients with AA and non-segmental vitiligo (NSV). To assess whether the pattern of serum cytokine concentration can be associated with clinical details and activity of the disease. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 33 patients with AA, 30 patients with NSV, and 30 healthy controls. Serum levels of IL-17 were determined quantitatively by ELISA method. Results: Our analysis identified a systemic inflammatory signature associated with AA and NSV, characterized by elevated levels of IL-17. The levels of IL-17 did not differ significantly between AA patients and NSV patients. Conclusions: Our results show that AA and vitiligo may share common etiopathogenetic pathways, which suggests the potential of developing targeted therapies for both AA and vitiligo treatment. Imbalance of T cell subpopulations and complex systemic cytokine profiles may contribute to the pathogenesis of AA and vitiligo.

Biomarkers that are able to predict the response to omalizumab (OMA) in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) are highly valued. The aim of our study was to evaluate the UAS7 (urticaria activity score assessed for 7 days), DLQI (dermatology life quality index), SII (systemic immune-inflammation index), SIRI (systemic inflammation response index), PLR (platelet/lymphocyte ratio) and NLR (neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio) in a group of 46 CSU a patients treated for 24 weeks with OMA (300 mg every 4 weeks). There were no statistically significant differences observed at the start nor at the end of the treatment between the two groups (responders vs. non-responders) and SII, SIRI, PLR and NLR. However, a statistically significant correlation was observed between severity of urticaria expressed in UAS7 scores and the quality of life (evaluated by DLQI). Furthermore, at week 24, both groups demonstrated significant improvement in quality of life. Our single center study did not confirm the usefulness of SII, SIRI, NLR or PLR as predictors of the response to OMA in CSU. However, it is of importance that even patients who did not respond to the treatment presented a significant improvement in quality of life. Additionally, we also observed that the efficacy of treatment was unchanged amongst patients who underwent a second series of treatment in cases of relapse.