Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry Based Hair Steroid Profiling May Reveal Pathogenesis in Hair Follicles of the Scalp

April 2011 in “ Rapid communications in mass spectrometry/RCM. Rapid communications in mass spectrometry ”

Hyun Jin Jung, Sun-Ju Kim, Won Yong Lee, Bong Chul Chung, Man Ho Choi

gas chromatography/mass spectrometry steroid profiling steroid concentrations enzyme activities steroidogenesis ultrasonication male-pattern baldness MPB dutasteride 5α-reductase inhibitor dihydrotestosterone DHT testosterone 5α-androstanedione DHT/testosterone ratio GC/MS Avodart T

Studysummary This study found that using hair steroid profiling, dutasteride treatment led to reduced dihydrotestosterone levels and DHT/testosterone ratio in patients with male-pattern baldness. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study developed a method for profiling steroids in hair using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to evaluate steroid concentrations and enzyme activities related to steroidogenesis. Improved extraction efficiencies were achieved through ultrasonication, with overall recoveries ranging from 71% to 132% and quantification limits between 1 and 50 ng/g. The method was applied to assess metabolic changes in male-pattern baldness (MPB) and the efficacy of dutasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor. MPB patients showed increased dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels and a higher DHT/testosterone ratio, indicating elevated 5α-reductase activity. Dutasteride treatment reduced DHT and 5α-androstanedione levels and the DHT/testosterone ratio in hair samples. Hair steroid profiling was suggested as a useful tool for monitoring metabolic responses to both disease and drug treatments.

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