Abstract 153: Inhibition of the 5-Alpha-Reductase Reduces Cardiac Hypertrophy and Improves Cardiac Function

The study investigated the effects of finasteride, a 5-α-reductase inhibitor, on cardiac hypertrophy and function in mice. It was found that finasteride significantly reduced cardiac hypertrophy in male mice after transverse aortic constriction, as evidenced by a decrease in heart weight/body weight ratio and cardiomyocyte diameter, along with increased capillary density and Serca2a expression. The treatment also reduced left ventricular dilation and improved cardiac function in male transgenic Gαq mice, with similar trends observed in females. Additionally, finasteride reduced pulmonary congestion in both male and female mice. These findings suggested that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) played a role in cardiac hypertrophy and that 5-α-reductase inhibition could be beneficial in treating cardiac disease.