The 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Dutasteride but Not Finasteride Protects Dopamine Neurons in the MPTP Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease

May 2015 in “ Neuropharmacology ”

Nadhir Litim, Mélanie Bourque, Sara Al Sweidi, Marc Morissette, Thérèse Di Paolo

Dutasteride 5α-reductase inhibitor Finasteride dopamine neurons plasma testosterone Avodart Propecia testosterone

TLDR Dutasteride protects dopamine neurons in Parkinson's mice, but Finasteride doesn't.

The study found that Dutasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor, protected dopamine neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease, while Finasteride had no effect. Dutasteride prevented the loss of dopamine uptake and storage, and also prevented the decrease in plasma testosterone levels induced by MPTP. The study suggests that Dutasteride may have potential as a treatment for Parkinson's disease.

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Research cited in this study

9 / 9 results

research Inhibition Of 5α-Reductase Attenuates Behavioral Effects Of D1-, But Not D2-Like Receptor Agonists In C57BL/6 Mice

42 citations , August 2012 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

Finasteride reduces certain behaviors caused by D1-like receptor agonists but not by D2-like receptor agonists in mice.

Steroid 5α-Reductase as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Schizophrenia and Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders

research Marked Suppression of Dihydrotestosterone in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Dutasteride, a Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

408 citations , May 2004 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism”

Dutasteride more effectively lowers DHT levels in men with enlarged prostates than finasteride.

research Inhibition of Rat Alpha-Reductases by Finasteride: Evidence for Isozyme Differences in the Mechanism of Inhibition

98 citations , April 1997 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Finasteride effectively blocks rat enzymes, but with varying methods and strength.

Mechanism-Based Inhibition of Human Steroid 5α-Reductase by Finasteride: Enzyme-Catalyzed Formation of NADP-Dihydrofinasteride, a Potent Bisubstrate Analog Inhibitor

research Mechanism-Based Inhibition of Human Steroid 5α-Reductase by Finasteride: Enzyme-Catalyzed Formation of NADP-Dihydrofinasteride, a Potent Bisubstrate Analog Inhibitor

136 citations , March 1996 in “Journal of the American Chemical Society”

Finasteride effectively blocks enzyme causing male pattern baldness.

research Four-Amino Acid Segment in Steroid 5 Alpha-Reductase 1 Confers Sensitivity to Finasteride, a Competitive Inhibitor

83 citations , April 1992 in “Journal of Biological Chemistry”

Four-amino acid part makes enzyme sensitive to finasteride.

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research The 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Dutasteride but Not Finasteride Protects Dopamine Neurons in the MPTP Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease

27 citations , May 2015 in “Neuropharmacology”

Dutasteride protects dopamine neurons in Parkinson's mice, but Finasteride doesn't.

research Effect of Finasteride, a 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor, on Serum Gonadotropins in Normal Men

30 citations , August 1992 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride doesn't affect hormone levels in normal men.

The 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Dutasteride but Not Finasteride Protects Dopamine Neurons in the MPTP Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Research cited in this study

research Inhibition Of 5α-Reductase Attenuates Behavioral Effects Of D1-, But Not D2-Like Receptor Agonists In C57BL/6 Mice

research Steroid 5α-Reductase as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Schizophrenia and Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders

research A Connection Between the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore, Autophagy, and Cerebral Amyloidogenesis

research Antipsychotic-Like Properties of 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors

research A New Look at the 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor Finasteride

research Marked Suppression of Dihydrotestosterone in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Dutasteride, a Dual 5α-Reductase Inhibitor

research Inhibition of Rat Alpha-Reductases by Finasteride: Evidence for Isozyme Differences in the Mechanism of Inhibition

research Mechanism-Based Inhibition of Human Steroid 5α-Reductase by Finasteride: Enzyme-Catalyzed Formation of NADP-Dihydrofinasteride, a Potent Bisubstrate Analog Inhibitor

research Four-Amino Acid Segment in Steroid 5 Alpha-Reductase 1 Confers Sensitivity to Finasteride, a Competitive Inhibitor

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research The 5α-Reductase Inhibitor Dutasteride but Not Finasteride Protects Dopamine Neurons in the MPTP Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease

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