Abstract: Objective To study the role of calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)and vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP)in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata(AA).Methods Radioimmunoassay(RIA)was used to measure the levels of CGRP and VIP in plasma from 30 patients with AA and 20 normal controls.Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of CGRP and VIP in lesions of 21 patients with AA and16normal scalps. Results ①The plasma levels of CGRP in progressing stage of AA(142.63±67.95pg/mL)were significantly lower than those in stable stage of AA(197.33±67.15pg/mL)and in normal controls(188.40±72.95pg/mL).②The plasma levels of VIP in progressing stage of AA(105.94±55.42pg/mL)were significantly lower than those in stable stage of AA(156.86±47.37pg/mL)and in normal controls(176.44±84.70pg/mL).③The expression of CGRP and VIP was significanly decreased in lesions of AA than that in normal scalps.Conclusion These findings indicate that CGRP and VIP may play a role in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata.

Key words: Alopecia areata, Calcitonin gene-related peptide, Vasoactive intestinal peptide