The Biomolecular Effects of Finasteride on Male Rat Brain During Administration and After Discontinuation

January 2025 in “ The World Journal of Men s Health ”

Young Hyo Choi, Hee Youn Kim, Seung-Ho Yang, Jun Sung Koh, Jin Bong Choi, Dong Sup Lee

finasteride 5-alpha reductase 5AR c-Fos protein 5AR type 1 5AR type 2 Propecia

TLDR Finasteride temporarily suppresses brain activity, but some effects last even after stopping.

This study on male Wistar rats examined the effects of finasteride on brain tissue, focusing on 5-alpha reductase (5AR) and c-Fos protein expression. Twenty-four rats were divided into control, finasteride-treated, and finasteride-withdrawn groups. Finasteride administration significantly reduced 5AR type 2 and c-Fos protein levels, indicating suppressed neural activity. After discontinuation, 5AR type 1 and c-Fos levels rebounded, suggesting temporary suppression of neural activity that could be relieved by restoring 5AR type 1 expression. However, 5AR type 2 levels remained low even after withdrawal, indicating a prolonged effect of finasteride on this enzyme. The study highlights the need for further research to understand the detailed mechanisms of 5AR in brain tissue.

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