Finasteride Inhibits 5α-Reductase Activity in Human Dermal Fibroblasts: Prediction of Its Therapeutic Application in Androgen-Related Skin Diseases

October 1995 in “ International Journal of Dermatology ”

Quan Dong Nguyen, Tao Chen, Xuesheng Wang, Ying Chen, Paul Chien

finasteride 5α-reductase dihydrotestosterone androgen-related skin disorders testosterone human dermal fibroblasts acne baldness hirsutism Propecia DHT androgenic alopecia

TLDR Finasteride helps treat skin issues like acne and baldness by blocking testosterone conversion.

This 1995 study investigated the potential of finasteride in treating androgen-related skin disorders. The researchers found that finasteride inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone in human dermal fibroblasts, suggesting its therapeutic potential in treating skin disorders influenced by the action of dihydrotestosterone, such as acne and baldness of the scalp or hirsutism. The study also discussed the different forms of human 5α-reductase isozyme and their tissue distribution in humans. The study confirms the potential therapeutic application of finasteride in androgen-related skin diseases.

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Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research Finasteride: The First 5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor

34 citations, July 1993 in “PubMed”

research Azasteroids as Inhibitors of Testosterone 5α-Reductase in Mammalian Skin

34 citations, February 1993 in “Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology/The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology”

Certain 4-azasteroids are effective at blocking the enzyme that processes testosterone in human skin and could help treat acne, excessive hair growth, and 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.

research Effects of Finasteride (MK-906), a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, on Circulating Androgens in Male Volunteers

147 citations, April 1990 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism”

Finasteride safely lowers DHT levels without affecting testosterone.

research Hair Follicles and Associated Glands as Androgen Targets

53 citations, May 1986 in “Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism”

Androgens like testosterone affect hair growth and oil production differently across body parts and individuals.

research Species Differences in Prostatic Steroid 5α-Reductases of Rat, Dog, and Human

193 citations, August 1985 in “Endocrinology”

Different animals have unique versions of the enzyme that changes testosterone into another hormone, which is important for creating effective treatments for prostate and hair loss conditions.

Testosterone Metabolism in the Skin: A Review of Its Function in Androgenetic Alopecia, Acne Vulgaris, and Idiopathic Hirsutism Including Recent Studies with Antiandrogens

research Testosterone Metabolism in the Skin: A Review of Its Function in Androgenetic Alopecia, Acne Vulgaris, and Idiopathic Hirsutism Including Recent Studies with Antiandrogens

43 citations, November 1975 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Testosterone affects hair loss, acne, and excessive hair growth, and antiandrogens can help treat these conditions.

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community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 3 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

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Hair loss treatments, specifically 5AR inhibitors, can impact neurosteroids and sexual health. The effects of topical fin/dut on tissue-specific DHT levels are unclear.

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in Finasteride/Dutasteride 338 upvotes 1 year ago

User used Finasteride, Dutasteride, and Minoxidil for one year to treat hair loss. They discussed possibly trying RU58841 or pyrilutamide in the future.

community My Testosterone results before and after Finasteride

in Update 146 upvotes 3 years ago

Finasteride significantly increased testosterone levels for the user, with no major side effects except watery semen, which was resolved with zinc supplements. The user's hairline stopped receding and slightly improved.

community Dutasteride SAVES your hair follicles: MAJOR BS on people who say it destroyed their hair permanently.

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 158 upvotes 11 months ago

The conversation discusses the effectiveness of hair loss treatments, specifically finasteride and dutasteride. The conclusion is that dutasteride significantly reduces DHT levels and may be more effective than finasteride for long-term hair retention, with some users reporting personal experiences and side effects.

community Does finasteride/dutasteride reverse aging?

in Chat 45 upvotes 1 month ago

Finasteride and dutasteride can improve skin texture and reduce acne by lowering DHT but do not reverse aging. They may enhance skin and hair health for some, but can also cause side effects like dry skin and sexual dysfunction.

Related Research

3 / 3 results

Finasteride Inhibits 5α-Reductase Activity in Human Dermal Fibroblasts: Prediction of Its Therapeutic Application in Androgen-Related Skin Diseases

research Finasteride Inhibits 5α-Reductase Activity in Human Dermal Fibroblasts: Prediction of Its Therapeutic Application in Androgen-Related Skin Diseases

3 citations, October 1995 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Finasteride helps treat skin issues like acne and baldness by blocking testosterone conversion.

Comparison of Finasteride, a 5α Reductase Inhibitor, and Various Commercial Plant Extracts in In Vitro and In Vivo 5α Reductase Inhibition

research Comparison of Finasteride, a 5α Reductase Inhibitor, and Various Commercial Plant Extracts in In Vitro and In Vivo 5α Reductase Inhibition

124 citations, January 1993 in “The Prostate”

Finasteride effectively inhibits 5α reductase, while plant extracts like Permixon and Bazoton don't show significant results.

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.