Association of Serum VEGF-A and VCAM-1 Levels With Nailfold Capilleroscopic Alterations in Alopecia Areata

NCT07499713 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: E-10840098-202.3.02-7702
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 90
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to learn about microvascular changes and hair follicle activity in patients with alopecia areata. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do blood levels of markers related to blood vessel formation (VEGF-A) and inflammation (VCAM-1) differ between patients with alopecia areata and healthy individuals? Is there a link between these blood markers and structural changes in the nailfold capillaries? How do these markers relate to specific trichoscopic signs of disease activity (such as black dots or exclamation mark hairs) and the overall severity of hair loss (SALT score)? Researchers will compare patients with alopecia areata (grouped by disease duration: acute \<6 months vs. chronic \>6 months) to healthy volunteers to see if there is a significant difference in systemic and local vascular indicators. Participants will: Undergo a trichoscopic scalp examination to identify markers of disease activity (black dots, yellow dots, exclamation mark hairs) and calculate the SALT score. Have their nailfolds examined with a digital capillaroscope (50x) to detect microvascular alterations. Provide a blood sample to measure the levels of VEGF-A and VCAM-1.

Conditions

Alopecia Areata; Alopecia Areata(AA); Alopecia Areata (AA)

Keywords

alopecia areata; hair loss; vegf a; vcam 1; nfc; nailfold capilleroscopy; trichoscopy; nonscarring alopecia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Serum Levels of VEGF-A and VCAM-1

  Serum concentrations of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 will be measured to evaluate systemic vascular involvement and endothelial activation in patients with Alopecia Areata.

  At enrollment (Baseline - Single time point)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Nailfold Capillaroscopic Patterns

  At enrollment

• Correlation with SALT Score and Trichoscopic Signs

  At enrollment

Study Arms (3)

Acute alopecia areata patients

Patients diagnosed with alopecia areata who have a disease duration of less than 6 months.

Diagnostic Test: Microvascular Imaging; Diagnostic Test: Biochemical Biomarker Analysis; Diagnostic Test: Trichoscopic Imaging

Chronic alopecia areata patients

Patients diagnosed with alopecia areata who have a disease duration of 6 months or longer.

Diagnostic Test: Microvascular Imaging; Diagnostic Test: Biochemical Biomarker Analysis; Diagnostic Test: Trichoscopic Imaging

Healthy Control Group

Age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers with no history of alopecia, other autoimmune disorders, or systemic inflammatory diseases.

Diagnostic Test: Microvascular Imaging; Diagnostic Test: Biochemical Biomarker Analysis

Interventions

Microvascular Imaging DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

his intervention focuses on the integration of microvascular and biochemical markers to phenotype Alopecia Areata subgroups.

Also known as: Nailfold Capillaroscopy, NVC

Acute alopecia areata patients; Chronic alopecia areata patients; Healthy Control Group

Biochemical Biomarker Analysis DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Collection of 5-10 mL venous blood samples. Serum is separated by centrifugation (3000 RPM, 10 min) and analyzed via Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to determine the levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1.

Also known as: Serum VEGF-A, Serum VCAM-1

Acute alopecia areata patients; Chronic alopecia areata patients; Healthy Control Group

Trichoscopic Imaging DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

his non-invasive procedure focuses on identifying specific trichoscopic patterns associated with Alopecia Areata activity, including yellow dots, black dots, exclamation mark hairs, and broken hairs.

Also known as: Trichoscopy, Dermoscopy

Acute alopecia areata patients; Chronic alopecia areata patients

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of patients diagnosed with Alopecia Areata (AA) and healthy volunteers recruited from Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, a tertiary care dermatology outpatient clinic in Istanbul. The patient group is stratified into acute and chronic phenotypes based on disease duration. The healthy control group includes age- and sex-matched individuals with no history of hair, nail, or systemic vascular diseases.

You may qualify if:

• Age: Participants aged between 18 and 60 years.
• Diagnosis: Clinical and trichoscopic diagnosis of Alopecia Areata (AA) by a dermatologist.
• Categorization: "Acute" (\<6 months duration) or "Chronic" (≥6 months duration) groups.
• Consent: Ability to provide written informed consent for participation in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Medical History: Patients with a history of diabetes mellitus, autoimmune diseases, connective tissue diseases, chronic inflammatory or vascular diseases.
• Pregnancy \& Lactation: Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Lifestyle Factors: Active smoking or chronic alcohol use.
• Hair \& Nail Conditions: Causes of hair loss other than alopecia areata, the presence of any nail disease, or having had a manicure within the last 3 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Istanbul Training and Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Istanbul Education and Research Hospital

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITHOUT DNA

Venous blood samples (approximately 5-10 mL) are collected from each participant into vacuum tubes containing gel separators. After being allowed to clot at room temperature, the samples are centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes. The separated serum is then aliquoted into Eppendorf tubes and stored at -80°C until the laboratory analysis of VEGF-A and VCAM-1 levels via ELISA is performed.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alopecia Areata; Alopecia

Interventions

Microscopic Angioscopy; Dermoscopy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hypotrichosis; Hair Diseases; Skin Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Intravital Microscopy; Microscopy; Diagnostic Imaging; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Diagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular; Investigative Techniques

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dermatology Resident

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 24, 2026
• First Posted: March 30, 2026
• Study Start: April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)