Central 5-Alpha Reduction of Testosterone Is Required for Testosterone's Inhibition of the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Response to Restraint Stress in Adult Male Rats

July 2013 in “ Brain Research ”

Robert J. Handa, Andrea E. Kudwa, Nina C. Donner, Robert F. McGivern, Roger Brown

5-alpha reductase testosterone dihydrotestosterone DHT finasteride adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH corticosterone CORT Propecia

TLDR Testosterone needs to be converted to DHT to reduce stress response in male rats.

This study investigated the role of 5-alpha reduction of testosterone (T) in modulating the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to restraint stress in adult male rats. The research demonstrated that the conversion of T to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) via the 5-alpha reductase enzyme was essential for T's inhibitory effects on the HPA axis. Inhibition of this enzyme using finasteride, both peripherally and centrally, increased the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) response to stress, indicating that 5-alpha reduction is a necessary step for T's modulation of stress responses. The study used adult male Sprague-Dawley rats to explore these biochemical pathways.

View this study on sciencedirect.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

1 / 1 results

research Increase in Testosterone Metabolism in the Rat Central Nervous System by Formalin-Induced Tonic Pain

11 citations , October 2002 in “Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior”

Formalin-induced pain increases testosterone breakdown in the rat brain and spinal cord.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community "Creatine causes hair loss" myth debunked once and for all

in Research/Science 20 upvotes 3 years ago

Creatine does not directly cause hair loss but may increase DHT levels, potentially worsening hair loss in those predisposed to male pattern baldness. Users have mixed experiences, with some reporting increased shedding and others seeing no effect.

community Androgenetic alopecia is a skin disease: DHT-mediated skin disorders

in Research/Science 63 upvotes 2 years ago

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) impacts various skin conditions, including Androgenetic alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis, by causing overactivity in sebaceous glands. Topical medications Tacrolimus and Clobetasol can reduce these inflammatory conditions, and treatments like RU58841, Minoxidil, and Finasteride may also be beneficial.

community If You Have DUPA, PLEASE READ THIS: Everyone Should Be Scalp Biopsied

nkrata in Research 830 upvotes 1 year ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community One year anti androgen update CROWN

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 338 upvotes 2 years ago

User used Finasteride, Dutasteride, and Minoxidil for one year to treat hair loss. They discussed possibly trying RU58841 or pyrilutamide in the future.

community Can I still save my hairline at age of 15?

Kuba in General 532 upvotes 4 months ago

A 15-year-old is concerned about hair loss, possibly at Norwood 2 or 3, and is using shampoos and conditioners recommended by a trichologist. Suggestions include considering topical minoxidil and consulting a doctor about topical anti-DHT treatments like finasteride or RU58841, but avoiding 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors at this age.

community Do we know exactly why some people respond so great to dut/fin,min and others dont?

in Research/Science 29 upvotes 1 year ago

Genetic factors, enzyme activity, and DHT sensitivity affect individual responses to hair loss treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, and dutasteride. Starting treatments early can slow hair loss, but results vary among individuals.

Related Research

5 / 5 results

research Evaluation of the Therapeutic Effects of AGA Drugs by Measuring Finasteride, Dutasteride, and Dihydrotestosterone in Hair

June 2023 in “Clinica Chimica Acta”

Finasteride and dutasteride effectively reduce DHT in hair, which may help evaluate their treatment success for hair loss.

research 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors in Androgenetic Alopecia: Shifting Paradigms, Current Concepts, Comparative Efficacy, and Safety

19 citations , April 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

Dutasteride works better than finasteride for hair loss, with both being safe to use.

research The Effects of Finasteride on Scalp Skin and Serum Androgen Levels in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

65 citations , October 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride effectively reduces hair loss by decreasing androgen levels.

Effect of MK-386, a Novel Inhibitor of Type 1 5 Alpha-Reductase, Alone and in Combination with Finasteride, on Serum Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Men

research Effect of MK-386, a Novel Inhibitor of Type 1 5 Alpha-Reductase, Alone and in Combination with Finasteride, on Serum Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Men

6 citations , August 1996 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

MK-386 and finasteride together effectively reduce DHT levels, potentially treating acne and male pattern baldness.

The Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Scalp Skin Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Patients with Male Pattern Baldness

research The Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Scalp Skin Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Concentrations in Patients with Male Pattern Baldness

59 citations , September 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride reduces scalp DHT levels, potentially treating male pattern baldness.