Androgen Metabolism as It Affects Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia

April 1999 in “ Dermatologic Clinics ”

Keith D. Kaufman

androgen metabolism hair growth androgenetic alopecia androgens DHT 5α-reductase inhibitors finasteride enzyme activity hair follicles sebaceous glands Propecia

Studysummary Androgens, like DHT, affect hair growth and treatments like finasteride may help. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This 1999 document explores the relationship between androgen metabolism and hair growth in androgenetic alopecia. It suggests that androgens, particularly DHT, play a role in the development of the condition. The document discusses the use of 5α-reductase inhibitors, such as finasteride, as a potential treatment option for reducing DHT levels and promoting hair growth. The study also found differences in enzyme activity in hair follicles and sebaceous glands in individuals with androgenetic alopecia.

View this study on sciencedirect.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

18 / 18 results

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Frontal Male Pattern Hair Loss

187 citations , June 1999 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study reported that finasteride 1 mg/day significantly increased hair growth and slowed hair loss in men with frontal scalp hair thinning over one year, and these benefits continued or improved in the second year.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

581 citations , October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

In male pattern hair loss, this study found that finasteride 1 mg daily significantly slowed hair loss and increased hair growth over two years compared to placebo.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Autosomal Dominant Disorder

80 citations , January 1995 in “The American Journal of Medicine”

Hair loss in androgenetic alopecia is caused by genetic factors and androgen excess, and can be treated with combined therapies.

research The Effects of Finasteride (Proscar) on Hair Growth, Hair Cycle Stage, and Serum Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone in Adult Male and Female Stumptail Macaques (Macaca Arctoides)

19 citations , October 1994 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

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

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

research Diagnostic and Predictive Value of Horizontal Sections of Scalp Biopsy Specimens in Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

309 citations , May 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study concluded that horizontal sections of scalp biopsy specimens provide more diagnostic information for male pattern androgenetic alopecia than vertical sections and can predict hair regrowth potential following topical minoxidil therapy.

research The Effect of Finasteride in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

1040 citations , October 1992 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

In this study, 5 mg of finasteride per day significantly improved urinary symptoms and reduced prostate volume in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, but increased the risk of sexual dysfunction.

research Steroid Chemistry and Hormone Controls During the Hair Follicle Cycle

34 citations , December 1991 in “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences”

This study found that while the steroid mechanisms influencing androgenetic alopecia may be similar for men and women, differences in enzyme activity and receptor content could explain their varied clinical presentations.

research Effects of Finasteride (MK-906), a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, on Circulating Androgens in Male Volunteers

147 citations , April 1990 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

This study found that finasteride significantly suppresses serum dihydrotestosterone levels at all tested doses in normal male volunteers without significant adverse effects.

research Animal Models of Androgen-Dependent Disorders of the Pilosebaceous Apparatus

38 citations , July 1989 in “Archives of dermatological research”

Testosterone causes hair loss in AGA mice, which are good for testing baldness treatments, and both minoxidil and cyproterone acetate can prevent this hair loss.

research Increased Androgen Binding Capacity in Sebaceous Glands in Scalp of Male-Pattern Baldness

51 citations , January 1989 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that sebaceous glands in bald scalp have greater androgen binding affinity and capacity than those in hairy scalp, possibly contributing to the androgenic response seen in male pattern baldness.

research The Comparative Histopathology of Male-Pattern Baldness and Senescent Baldness

143 citations , October 1988 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

This review discusses the histopathology of male-pattern baldness and highlights ongoing disputes over several aspects, including sebaceous gland size and follicle loss, reporting no new clinical findings.

research Delta 5-3 Beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Activity in Sebaceous Glands of Scalp in Male-Pattern Baldness

69 citations , August 1988 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Patterned Androgenic Alopecia in Women

130 citations , May 1988 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that frontal and frontoparietal hair recession is relatively common in women, especially after menopause, and may not indicate abnormal androgen metabolism absent other virilization signs.

research Biology of Scalp Hair Growth

48 citations , April 1982 in “Clinics in Plastic Surgery”

Male pattern baldness is common and can be managed with early intervention.

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations , September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article presents a classification system for stages of female-pattern androgenetic alopecia to aid early diagnosis and mentions existing systems for rare male-pattern cases, but reports no new clinical results.

research Testosterone Metabolism in the Skin

74 citations , November 1975 in “Archives of dermatology”

This review discusses testosterone metabolism in human skin and its role in androgenetic skin disorders, suggesting that temporary increases in dihydrotestosterone may lead to these conditions.

research 17-Beta-Hydroxy-Steroid Dehydrogenases in Hair Follicles of Normal and Bald Scalp: A Histochemical Study

10 citations , March 1973 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”