Molecular Mechanisms of Androgen Receptor Functions

The conversation discusses androgen receptor degraders for hair loss, highlighting their potential advantages over traditional AR blockers like RU58841 and pyrilutamide. Concerns about the safety and cost of these treatments are also mentioned.

DHT is essential for androgenetic alopecia, not testosterone. Treatments like finasteride and dutasteride reduce DHT, halting hair loss.

Pyrilutamide and RU58841 are androgen receptor antagonists that block receptors without significantly reducing testosterone or DHT levels. Any indirect effect on androgen levels is likely negligible.

Bicalutamide blocks androgen receptors, preventing testosterone and DHT from binding, which can help with hair loss but may cause feminization. It is not recommended for those who do not want feminization effects.

Androsterone may help with sexual and affective dysfunction from finasteride by replacing disrupted neurosteroids without increasing androgenic side effects. Controlled testing is needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety.

Topical androgen receptor antagonists may not be necessary if 5-AR inhibitors like finasteride or dutasteride effectively reduce DHT levels. Combining a 5-AR inhibitor with a topical androgen antagonist could potentially enhance treatment, but oral use of androgen antagonists is too risky due to severe side effects.