Finasteride is the main inhibitor of 5α-reductase activity in microdissected dermal papillae of human hair follicles
February 1999
in “Archives of Dermatological Research”
TLDR Finasteride potentially treats hair loss by reducing DHT production.
The study found that finasteride is the main inhibitor of 5α-reductase activity in microdissected dermal papillae of human hair follicles, indicating its potential effectiveness in treating androgenetic alopecia. The study involved a small number of human subjects and suggests that finasteride may be a useful treatment for hair loss by reducing DHT production.
View this study on link.springer.com →
Cited in this study
research 5α-Reductase activity in the human hair follicle concentrates in the dermal papilla
The enzyme that changes testosterone to a stronger form is mostly found in the part of the hair follicle called the dermal papilla.
research Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia
People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.
research The effect of finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, on scalp skin testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations in patients with male pattern baldness.
Finasteride reduces scalp DHT levels, potentially treating male pattern baldness.
research Finasteride: A slow-binding 5.alpha.-reductase inhibitor
Finasteride slowly binds to 5-alpha-reductase, affecting enzyme stability and inhibitor potency.
research Metabolism of androgens by isolated human beard hair follicles
Human beard hair follicles change testosterone into other related hormones, but don't much change androstenedione into testosterone.
Related
research Hair loss improvement effect of Chrysanthemum zawadskii, peppermint and Glycyrrhiza glabra herbal mixture in human follicle dermal papilla cell and C57BL/6 mice
The herbal mixture could potentially improve hair loss.
research Pharmacological therapeutics in androgenetic alopecia
research FCP 3 : Platelet rich plasma induced hair growth in alopecia patients partially through dermal papilla cell proliferation, BCl-2 and KGF up-regulation
Platelet-rich plasma treatments help hair growth in people with hair loss by increasing certain cell growth and protein levels.
research FINASTERIDE AS A TREATMENT FOR MALE ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA
research Hairless or fertile? Finasteride leads to epididymal changes and infertility in rats
Finasteride may cause infertility in rats by affecting epididymis and sperm function.
research 5α-reductase inhibition and hair growth promotion of some Thai plants traditionally used for hair treatment
Some Thai plants, especially Carthamus tinctorius, could help prevent hair loss and promote hair growth without adverse effects.
research Molecular mechanisms of androgenetic alopecia
AGA causes hair loss by shrinking hair follicles due to DHT binding, and can be treated with finasteride and minoxidil.
research Finasteride is the main inhibitor of 5α-reductase activity in microdissected dermal papillae of human hair follicles
Finasteride potentially treats hair loss by reducing DHT production.
research Effect of finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, on serum gonadotropins in normal men.
Finasteride doesn't affect hormone levels in normal men.