Study- Zinc and Copper in hair, serum; SOD, GPX-Px, MDA in serum.

"The mean of hair zinc level in AA patients, AGA patients and controls were 98.33 µg/dl, 105.35 µg/dl and 129.52 µg/dl. The mean level of hair copper level in study and control groups were, 7.91, 7.25 and 10.34. The mean of serum level of SOD, MDA and GPX-Px in study and control groups were (1945.25, 1861.57 and 2296.77), (3.64, 3.49 and 1.62) and (129.11, 118.84 and 138.74)."

"Zinc and copper contents of hair and serum were significantly lower among patients with alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia compared to controls (P<0.05). The serum level of SOD, GPX-Px were significantly lower and level of MDA were higher among patients with alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia compared to controls (P<0.05). These results suggest that low levels of zinc and copper of hair and serum and lipid peroxidation and alterations in the oxidant-antioxidant enzymatic system (SOD, GPX-Px) with high level of MDA at serum may play a role in the pathogenesis of AA and AGA."

Assessment of Zinc and Copper Contents in the Hair and Serum and Also Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathion Peroxidase and Malondi Aldehyde in Serum in Androgenetic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata
http://www.lifesciencesite.com/lsj/life1001/030_11559life1001_204_209.pdf

Thanks for that, Rugrats. Kind of adds some concrete to what we already thought intuitively. Ignoring genetic reasons for less than median levels of the antioxidant enzymes, we should try to start thinking about what might be "stealing" them. Of course the former is possible, but we should consider everything we know about the antioxidant system, and we know there are several types of inflammation in other tissues that could be contributing to the steal. Gut, liver to name two.

Also points out how important the fats we are consuming are, membrane fatty acid content is so important.

Seems related:

[The change of certain biochemical indexes and apotosis protein (Fas/FasL) expression in rat liver of selenium and iodine deficiency].

CONCLUSION:

Se deficiency can cause the decrease of GPX-Px activities of rat liver and the increase of contents of MDA and NO. It can also lead to over expression of Fas/FasL. It seems that I deficiency can enhance the effect of selenium deficiency.

9rugrats5 wrote:"
Zinc and copper contents of hair and serum were significantly lower among patients with alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia compared to controls

An interesting article showing how the immune system is using copper to intoxicate pathogens: Copper at the Front Line of the Host-Pathogen Battle ...logically, less copper (as found among baldies in the study you posted) should mean more pathogens (I am not sure if it really is that simple). Higher copper (as women naturally have) means then, less pathogens (maybe the ones responsible for hair loss), that could be another reason (besides hormones) women have much better hair then men while sharing the same pathogens.

Thanks dreft, I'll have to be honest I didn't have the heart to read that article except the intro and headings. It's technical and nuanced, and requires some background too to adequately understand the mechanisms. On the face of it, it appears that both microbes and immune system could use copper. Is that correct?

In any case, both Cu and Zn levels are low for AGA scalps. That means that this is not a case of Cu-Zn imbalance, rather chances are it more a case of nutritional deficiency.

Elevated MDA is implicated in arthritis and atherosclerosis.
"The recent studies showed that Malondialdehyde (MDA) is the important marker of lipid peroxidation and progression of atherosclerosis is correlated with oxidative stress and can be followed up by MDA measurements."
http://medwelljournals.com/abstract/?doi=rjbsci.2008.206.210
"MDA also can be found in tissue sections of joints from patients with osteoarthritis." -from wikipedia.

To me, this seems to indicate poor blood and oxygen (and mineral) supply to AGA scalps. The blood vessels are not doing great over there.

Edit- And DeadlyDevice had posted with reference too that these levels in OP study indicate deficiencies, likely of Se and Iodine. So here are our scalps low in CU, ZN, Se, I. MDA levels suggest there is calcification and infection happening in the blood vessels too.

Okay does anyone else think that this is all about heavy metals/toxins? Mercury does deplete both zinc and selenium and it would lower levels of glutathione. Poor blood and oxygen supply would happen in a low thyroid state which is caused by excessive heavy metals/toxins. Theories?