Key result
Alopecia areata links to higher serum ACE levels than controls despite similar ACE gene polymorphisms.
Why the study?
Alopecia areata is a multifactorial disorder with immune dysregulation and genetic susceptibility, but the role of ACE gene I/D polymorphism, serum ACE activity, and their link to inflammation and nutritional markers in Iraqi patients was unclear.
Is ACE gene polymorphism and serum ACE activity associated with alopecia areata and its inflammatory and nutritional markers?
Case-Control (n=85)
Is ACE gene polymorphism and serum ACE activity associated with alopecia areata and its inflammatory and nutritional markers?
Serum ACE levels are significantly elevated in alopecia areata patients and correlate with inflammatory and nutritional markers, suggesting a potential immunometabolic role in pathogenesis.
Serum ACE elevation may support biomarker research in alopecia areata; leaves open clinical utility pending prospective validation.
BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is a multifactorial disorder with immune dysregulation and genetic susceptibility, affecting 0.5-2% globally. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion /deletion (I/D) polymorphism and serum ACE activity in Iraqi AA patients and their association with inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-17) and nutritional markers to understand disease progression. METHODS: This case-control study included 50 AA patients (Male and Female) and 35 healthy controls. ACE gene polymorphism (rs1799752) was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis. Serum IL-17 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and biochemical markers were measured using an automated analyzer. RESULTS: ACE gene polymorphism (rs1799752) showed non-significant genotype distribution between patient and control groups (p > 0.05), though a trend toward DD genotype enrichment was observed in patients. Serum ACE levels were significantly higher in patients versus controls (p < 0.0001) with high diagnostic performance. ACE correlated positively with IL-17 (P < 0.0001) and negatively with vitamin D3 and zinc (P < 0.0001). Female patients had significantly higher ACE levels than males (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ACE emerges as an immunometabolic hub in AA pathogenesis, integrating inflammation with nutritional deficits, suggesting its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Dhahir et al. (2026) conducted a case-control in Alopecia areata (n=85). ACE gene polymorphism (rs1799752) and serum ACE activity vs. Healthy controls was evaluated on ACE gene polymorphism (rs1799752) genotype distribution and serum ACE levels (p=<0.0001). Serum ACE levels were significantly higher in alopecia areata patients versus healthy controls (p < 0.0001), while ACE gene polymorphism (rs1799752) distribution was not significantly different.
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