Effects of diphencyprone on expression of Bcl-2 protein in patients with alopecia areata.
BACKGROUND
Alopecia areata (AA) development is attributed to a T cell involved autoimmune process. Apoptosis is one of the suspected culprits in pathogenesis of this disorder. This disorder can be treated by contact sensitizers like diphencyprone (DPCP). We investigated the effects of treatment with DPCP on the expression of Bcl-2 protein in hair follicle epithelial cells of AA patients and its relation to clinical response to treatment.


METHODS
Patients with chronic and extensive AA who had not received any treatment for at least 6 months were included. Furthermore, 3-mm punch biopsies were obtained from the affected areas before starting the treatment, and, six months after DPCP application, punch biopsies of the same size were taken from the following groups of patients: Group 1: six patients with complete hair regrowth, Group 2: six patients with partial regrowth, and Group 3: six patients with no regrowth. The samples were studied by immunohistochemistry to detect and compare the rate of Bcl-2 expression.


RESULTS
Level of Bcl-2 expression in respondent patients (Group 1) was significantly higher after DPCP treatment (36.50 +/- 4.23) compared to pretreatment state (3.67 +/- 1.406, P < 0.001). Similar finding was observed in second group with partial regrowth (17.67 +/- 1.745 versus 5.33 +/- 2.076, P < 0.01). Such significant change was not observed in third group (4.75 +/- 1.315 versus 3.50 +/- 0.645, P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate the positive effect of DPCP on regulation (inhibition) of apoptotic process in patients with AA.
Pazoki-Toroudi
Hamidreza
H
Center for Research & Training in Skin Diseases & Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ajami
Marjan
M
Babakoohi
Shahab
S
Khaki
Leila
L
Habibey
Rouhollah
R
Akhiani
Maryam
M
Seirafi
Hassan
H
Firooz
Alireza
A
D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D003521:Cyclopropanes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003521:Cyclopropanes; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; C029402:diphenylcyclopropenone