Androgens and hair loss
June 2009
in “Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity”
TLDR The document concludes that hair transplantation and gene therapy may be important for future hair loss treatment.
The 2009 document provides an in-depth analysis of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), detailing its genetic basis, pathogenesis, and treatment options. It identifies AGA as a polygenic condition with genetic associations on chromosomes 20p11 and 3q26. The document reports that dutasteride is more effective than finasteride in treating AGA, with a new topical liposomal finasteride formulation showing promise in vitro. It also reviews the only two approved medical therapies at the time: finasteride, which leads to hair regrowth in a significant percentage of patients and prevents further hair loss in most, and minoxidil, which has been associated with a substantial increase in hair regrowth. The document discusses the prevalence of AGA, its association with various diseases, and its psychological impact. It concludes by noting the importance of hair transplantation and the potential for gene therapy in future AGA management.
View this study on journals.lww.com →
Cited in this study
research Prevalence and types of androgenetic alopecia in Shanghai, China: a community-based study
Chinese men have lower AGA rates than Caucasians, with type III vertex most common; family history is important.
research Follicular Unit Transplantation
Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) can give great results and patient satisfaction when done carefully and by a skilled surgeon.
research Follicular Unit Extraction
Follicular Unit Extraction is a less invasive hair transplant method with potential for natural results but has challenges like longer surgery time and higher cost.
research Male-pattern baldness susceptibility locus at 20p11
Researchers found a new gene area linked to male-pattern baldness, which, along with another gene, significantly increases the risk of hair loss in men.
research EDA2R Is Associated with Androgenetic Alopecia
EDA2R gene linked to hair loss.
research The role of scalp dermoscopy in the diagnosis of alopecia areata incognita
Scalp dermoscopy is good for diagnosing a type of hair loss and helps choose the best spots for biopsy.
research Genome-wide Scan and Fine-Mapping Linkage Study of Androgenetic Alopecia Reveals a Locus on Chromosome 3q26
Hair loss gene found on chromosome 3q26.
research Dihydrotestosterone-Inducible Dickkopf 1 from Balding Dermal Papilla Cells Causes Apoptosis in Follicular Keratinocytes
A substance called DKK-1 increases in balding areas and causes hair cells to die when exposed to DHT.
research A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of a novel formulation of 5% minoxidil topical foam versus placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men
New 5% minoxidil foam effectively promotes hair growth and is safe for use.
research A new classification of pattern hair loss that is universal for men and women: Basic and specific (BASP) classification
The BASP classification is a detailed and accurate way to categorize hair loss in both men and women.
research Androgenetic Alopecia
Male pattern hair loss is genetic and influenced by hormones, with treatments like minoxidil and surgery available.
research Baldness and the androgen receptor: the AR polyglycine repeat polymorphism does not confer susceptibility to androgenetic alopecia
AR polyglycine repeat doesn't cause baldness.
research Development of Liposomal Systems of Finasteride for Topical Applications: Design, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation
Liposomes improve finasteride delivery for hair loss treatment, making it a promising option for topical use.
research Effect of 1 mg/day finasteride on concentrations of serum prostate-specific antigen in men with androgenic alopecia: a randomised controlled trial
Taking 1 mg/day finasteride for hair loss significantly lowers PSA levels in men, which may affect prostate cancer screening.
research The importance of dual 5α-reductase inhibition in the treatment of male pattern hair loss: Results of a randomized placebo-controlled study of dutasteride versus finasteride
Dutasteride more effective for hair growth, but has more side effects than finasteride.
research Videodermoscopy in the evaluation of hair and scalp disorders
Videodermoscopy improves diagnosis of hair and scalp disorders and may reduce scalp biopsies.
research Changes in hair weight in men with androgenetic alopecia after treatment with finasteride (1 mg daily): Three- and 4-year results
Finasteride increases hair weight and count in men with hair loss, with best results after four years.
research Androgenetic alopecia and coronary artery disease in women
Women under 55 with hair loss (AGA) may have a higher risk of heart disease (CAD).
research Expression of androgen receptor coactivator ARA70/ELE1 in androgenic alopecia
The protein ARA70/ELE1 is involved in male pattern baldness, and lower levels of its short form may lead to hair thinning.
research Genetic Variation in the Human Androgen Receptor Gene Is the Major Determinant of Common Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia
Genetic variation in the androgen receptor gene mainly causes early-onset hair loss, with maternal inheritance playing a key role.
research Association of a polymorphism in the ornithine decarboxylase gene with male androgenetic alopecia
research Androgen action on human skin – from basic research to clinical significance
Hormones like testosterone affect skin functions and can cause skin issues when in excess; treatments to manage these effects are only somewhat effective.
research Family History and Risk of Hair Loss
Men with a family history of hair loss are more likely to experience it themselves, especially if both parents have hair loss.
research An Open, Randomized, Comparative Study of Oral Finasteride and 5% Topical Minoxidil in Male Androgenetic Alopecia
Oral finasteride works better than topical minoxidil for hair growth, both are safe.
research Perception of men with androgenetic alopecia by women and nonbalding men in Korea: how the nonbald regard the bald
Balding men seen as older, less attractive, and less confident.
research Androgenetic alopecia: pathogenesis and potential for therapy
Hair loss needs more research for better treatments.
research Androgen‐inducible TGF‐β1 from balding dermal papilla cells inhibits epithelial cell growth: a clue to understanding paradoxical effects of androgen on human hair growth
Androgens may cause hair loss by increasing TGF-beta1 from scalp cells, which inhibits hair cell growth.
research A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men
5% minoxidil works better for hair growth and density, with minor irritation.
research Comparative Efficacy of Various Treatment Regimens for Androgenetic Alopecia in Men
Best hair growth results from combining finasteride and minoxidil.
research The prevalence and types of androgenetic alopecia in Korean men and women
AGA more common in men, Koreans have lower rates and unique patterns.
research Early Onset of Androgenetic Alopecia Associated With Early Severe Coronary Heart Disease: A Population-Based, Case-Control Study
Early balding linked to higher heart disease risk.
research Sebocytes are the Key Regulators of Androgen Homeostasis in Human Skin
Sebocytes play a key role in controlling androgen levels in human skin.
research CHRONIC TREATMENT WITH FINASTERIDE DAILY DOES NOT AFFECT SPERMATOGENESIS OR SEMEN PRODUCTION IN YOUNG MEN
Finasteride doesn't harm male fertility or sperm quality, but may slightly reduce ejaculate volume.
research Finasteride increases anagen hair in men with androgenetic alopecia
Finasteride helps increase hair growth in men with hair loss.
research Early androgenetic alopecia as a marker of insulin resistance
Early hair loss may indicate risk of insulin resistance.
research Management of Androgenetic Alopecia
Treatments for common hair loss include minoxidil, finasteride, and hair transplantation.
research Immunohistochemical localization of types 1 and 2 5α-reductase in human scalp
The study found that two enzymes linked to hair loss are located in different parts of the scalp, supporting a common treatment's effectiveness.
research The risk of coronary heart disease in men with androgenetic alopecia
Bald men may have higher heart disease risk.
research Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia
Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.
research Association of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with Male Pattern Baldness
Men with enlarged prostates often have more severe baldness.
research Minoxidil upregulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human hair dermal papilla cells
Minoxidil boosts growth factor in hair cells, potentially promoting hair growth.
research Balding hair follicle dermal papilla cells contain higher levels of androgen receptors than those from non-balding scalp
Cells from balding scalps have more androgen receptors than cells from non-balding scalps.
research Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia
People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.
research The psychological effects of androgenetic alopecia in men
Hair loss can cause low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression in men.
research The Transverse Anatomy of Androgenic Alopecia
The study found that horizontal sections of scalp biopsies are better for analyzing hair loss, showing fewer hairs and more fine hairs in balding areas.
research Relationship Between Contact Time of Applied Dose and Percutaneous Absorption of Minoxidil From a Topical Solution
Longer contact time increases minoxidil absorption, but doesn't affect metabolism.
research The Effect of Topical Minoxidil on Hair Follicular Cycles of Rats
Minoxidil speeds up hair growth in rats without prolonging growth phase.
research Increased Androgen Binding Capacity in Sebaceous Glands in Scalp of Male-pattern Baldness
Men with male-pattern baldness have more androgen receptors in their scalp's oil glands, which may contribute to hair loss.
research Alterations in scalp blood flow after the epicutaneous application of 3% minoxidil and 0.1% hexyl nicotinate in alopecia
Minoxidil didn't increase scalp blood flow for hair growth, but hexyl nicotinate did.
research Topical minoxidil in male pattern baldness: Effects of discontinuation of treatment
Stopping minoxidil treatment resumes balding; continuous use needed for results.
research Action of topical minoxidil in the bald stump-tailed macaque
Minoxidil promotes hair growth but stops working when discontinued.
research Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography
Minoxidil increases blood flow in balding scalps, possibly reversing hair loss.
Related
research What's New in Therapy for Male Androgenetic Alopecia?
research Two Cases of Paradoxical Nonscarring Alopecia After Mesotherapy with Dutasteride
Two people lost hair unexpectedly after getting a common hair loss treatment with a drug called Dutasteride.
research Pharmacological therapeutics in androgenetic alopecia
research Superiority of dutasteride over finasteride in hair regrowth and reversal of miniaturization in men with androgenetic alopecia: A randomized controlled open-label, evaluator-blinded study
Dutasteride is more effective than finasteride at increasing hair count and reversing hair thinning in men with hair loss, but both have similar side effects.
research Side Effects Related to 5 α-Reductase Inhibitor Treatment of Hair Loss in Women: A Review.
The review found that women using hair loss drugs like finasteride and dutasteride rarely reported sexual side effects.
research Sponsored Lecture 3 : Updates on 5 alpha-rers(5ARIs) for the treatment of male pattern hair loss(MPHL)
research Combination therapy with finasteride and low-dose dutasteride in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia
Finasteride and low-dose dutasteride combo improves hair growth and reduces hair loss with no major side effects.
research Male androgenetic alopecia
Hair loss in men treated best with early medication or transplant, new treatments researched.
research The importance of dual 5α-reductase inhibition in the treatment of male pattern hair loss: Results of a randomized placebo-controlled study of dutasteride versus finasteride
Dutasteride more effective for hair growth, but has more side effects than finasteride.
research Effective treatment of female androgenic alopecia with dutasteride.
Dutasteride successfully treated a woman's hair loss when other treatments failed.