Finasteride-Induced Inhibition of 5α-Reductase Type 2 Could Lead to Kidney Damage: An Experimental Animal Study

May 2019 in “ International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ”

Mirza Wasif Baig, Agnieszka Kolasa, Anna Pilutin, Krzysztof Safranow, Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka, Joanna Kabat-Koperska, Barbara Wiszniewska

finasteride 5α-reductase type 2 androgen receptor intracellular junctional proteins DHT androgen supplementation renal dysfunction renal transplantation Propecia dihydrotestosterone kidney disease

TLDR Finasteride may cause kidney damage.

The study investigated the effects of finasteride, a drug used to treat hair loss, on the kidneys of male rats. The researchers found that finasteride treatment led to a decrease in androgen receptor expression and changes in intracellular junctional proteins, which were associated with pathomorphological changes in the rats' kidneys. The study suggests that patients with renal dysfunction or following renal transplantation with androgen supplementation or with pharmacologically induced DHT deficiency should be under special control and covered by extended diagnostics due to the potential adverse effect of DHT deficiency on the progression of kidney disease.

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Research cited in this study

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research Connexin 43 Expression in the Testes During Postnatal Development of Finasteride-Treated Male Rat Offspring

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research Long-Term Multinational Experience with Finasteride 1 mg in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

20 citations , April 2002 in “PubMed”

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research Contribution of Androgens to Chronic Allograft Nephropathy Is Mediated by Dihydrotestosterone

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research Finasteride

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Related Research

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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.

Finasteride-Induced Inhibition of 5α-Reductase Type 2 Could Lead to Kidney Damage: An Experimental Animal Study

Research cited in this study

research Connexin 43 Expression in the Testes During Postnatal Development of Finasteride-Treated Male Rat Offspring

research Androgen Levels and Apoptosis in the Testis During Postnatal Development of Finasteride-Treated Male Rat Offspring

research DHT Deficiency Perturbs the Integrity of the Rat Seminiferous Epithelium by Disrupting Tight and Adherens Junctions

research Effects of Short-Term Finasteride on Apoptotic Factors and Androgen Receptors in Prostate Cancer Cells

research Exogenous Testosterone Alone or With Finasteride Does Not Improve Measurements of Cognition in Healthy Older Men With Low Serum Testosterone

research Natural Variability and the Influence of Concurrent Control Values on the Detection and Interpretation of Low-Dose or Weak Endocrine Toxicities

research Exogenous Testosterone or Testosterone with Finasteride Increases Bone Mineral Density in Older Men with Low Serum Testosterone

research Long-Term Multinational Experience with Finasteride 1 mg in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

research Contribution of Androgens to Chronic Allograft Nephropathy Is Mediated by Dihydrotestosterone

research Finasteride

research Finasteride

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