The Metabolism of Dehydroepiandrosterone by Human Scalp Hair Follicles

    March 1973 in “ The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism ”
    Á Fazekas, Thomas Sandor
    TLDR Altered DHEA metabolism in hair follicles may be linked to hair loss in balding men.
    The study investigated the metabolism of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) by human scalp hair follicles in vitro, revealing that follicles metabolized DHEA into several principal metabolites, including 7α-hydroxy-DHEA and 7-keto-DHEA, but not into testosterone or 5α-dihydrotestosterone. The metabolic activity was higher in follicular bulbs compared to sheaths, with no sex differences in metabolite production. However, hair follicles from balding men showed significant metabolic deviations compared to non-balding individuals, indicating a potential link between altered DHEA metabolism and hair loss.
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