Effects of Dihydrotestosterone on Osteoblast Activity in Curdlan-Administered SKG Mice and Osteoprogenitor Cells in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis

The study investigated the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and its inhibitor, dutasteride, on osteoblast activity in curdlan-administered SKG mice and osteoprogenitor cells from patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Dutasteride treatment in mice increased spinal mineralization and IL-17A-secreting cells, suggesting exacerbation of AS pathology. In vitro, DHT delayed osteogenic differentiation by increasing DKK1 and SOST expression. Clinically, higher DHT levels in AS patients did not correlate with disease severity. The findings indicated that DHT inhibition might worsen spinal ankylosis in AS, warranting careful consideration of dutasteride use in these patients.