Gut Inflammation Induced by Finasteride Withdrawal: Therapeutic Effect of Allopregnanolone in Adult Male Rats

October 2022 in “ Biomolecules ”

Silvia Diviccaro, Silvia Giatti, Lucia Cioffi, Eva Falvo, Monika Herian, Donatella Caruso, Roberto Cosimo Melcangi

finasteride allopregnanolone pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β TNF-α serotonin dopamine post-finasteride syndrome Propecia ALLO

TLDR Allopregnanolone can reduce gut inflammation and normalize neurotransmitter levels after finasteride withdrawal.

The study found that finasteride withdrawal in adult male rats led to increased gut inflammation, characterized by elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) and altered neurotransmitter levels (increased serotonin, decreased dopamine). Treatment with allopregnanolone (ALLO) during the withdrawal period mitigated these inflammatory changes and normalized neurotransmitter levels, suggesting ALLO's potential as a therapeutic agent for managing gut inflammation and related symptoms in post-finasteride syndrome (PFS). The study involved 6-7 rats per group.

View this study on mdpi.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

8 / 8 results

research Alterations of Gut Microbiota Composition in Post-Finasteride Patients: A Pilot Study

17 citations, September 2020 in “Journal of Endocrinological Investigation”

Post-finasteride patients show changes in gut bacteria, possibly causing various symptoms.

research Post-Finasteride Syndrome: A Surmountable Challenge for Clinicians

30 citations, January 2020 in “Fertility and Sterility”

Finasteride can cause serious side effects in some men, needing more research for treatment.

research Post-Finasteride Syndrome: An Emerging Clinical Problem

26 citations, December 2019 in “Neurobiology of Stress”

Post-finasteride syndrome causes lasting sexual, neurological, and physical side effects in some people after taking finasteride.

Treatment of Male Rats with Finasteride, an Inhibitor of 5alpha-Reductase Enzyme, Induces Long-Lasting Effects on Depressive-Like Behavior, Hippocampal Neurogenesis, Neuroinflammation, and Gut Microbiota Composition

research Treatment of Male Rats with Finasteride, an Inhibitor of 5alpha-Reductase Enzyme, Induces Long-Lasting Effects on Depressive-Like Behavior, Hippocampal Neurogenesis, Neuroinflammation, and Gut Microbiota Composition

37 citations, September 2018 in “Psychoneuroendocrinology”

Finasteride treatment in male rats causes long-lasting effects on depression-like behavior, brain cell growth, inflammation, and gut bacteria composition.

research Post-Finasteride Syndrome and Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

40 citations, April 2018 in “Endocrine”

PFS and PSSD are similar conditions with persistent sexual dysfunction after stopping medication.

research Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Psychiatric and Andrological Features in Post-Finasteride Patients

58 citations, April 2017 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

Post-finasteride patients show changed neuroactive steroid levels, possibly causing erectile dysfunction and depression.

research Effects of Subchronic Finasteride Treatment and Withdrawal on Neuroactive Steroid Levels and Their Receptors in the Male Rat Brain

33 citations, December 2015 in “Neuroendocrinology”

Finasteride treatment changes brain steroid levels and receptors, affecting brain function even after stopping treatment.

research Finasteride in the Treatment of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

581 citations, October 1998 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Finasteride safely and effectively treats male pattern hair loss, but may cause reversible sexual issues and harm male fetuses.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Why I deleted my YouTube channel Part I

in Update 118 upvotes 3 years ago

A YouTuber named Kevin, also known as Rider_Of_Roach, who deleted his YouTube channel due to personal attacks and controversy surrounding his views on hair loss treatments. He advocated for FDA-approved treatments like finasteride and minoxidil but faced backlash from those who disagreed with him. The conversation also discusses his past trolling behavior and a lawsuit he filed against a website that published false information about him. Despite some disagreements, many viewers appreciated his research-based content and hope to see him return in the future.

community Finasteride is save in the eu (they concluded the investigation)

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 335 upvotes 1 week ago

Finasteride and dutasteride are still available in the EU, with a warning about potential suicidal thoughts. The benefits of these treatments are deemed greater than the risks.

community PSA: Most men who stay on Fin will see the sexual side effects go away. Stop the fear mongering

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 191 upvotes 3 years ago

Finasteride can cause sexual side effects in less than 2% of men, but these often disappear over time, even if the treatment continues. Some users report persistent side effects, while others experience no issues or only temporary ones.

community Is it possible that dutasteride won’t make you depressedd if finasteride did?

in Chat 16 upvotes 1 year ago

The conversation discusses whether dutasteride might cause less depression than finasteride for hair loss treatment, with some users suggesting it could due to different mechanisms of action or molecular size, while others express skepticism or share personal experiences with these medications.

community A warning to those using or thinking about using Dutasteride – Follow-up

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 18 upvotes 4 years ago

The post and conversation are about the long-term side effects of using Dutasteride and Finasteride for hair loss, including issues like raised liver enzymes, high cholesterol, and loss of libido. The user advises regular blood work and careful monitoring for those using these treatments.

community Hey /r/ Tressless, thought it would be interesting to take a full journey of hair restoration with you! DAY 1825

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 17 upvotes 4 years ago

The efficacy of various hair loss treatments, including Finasteride and Dutasteride, with personal anecdotal evidence about potential side effects. It also includes advice to get a male hormone blood panel done before starting treatment, and lifestyle changes to minimize side effects.

Related Research

5 / 5 results

Neonatal Finasteride Administration Alters Hippocampal α4 and δ GABAAR Subunits Expression and Behavioral Responses to Progesterone in Adult Rats

research Neonatal Finasteride Administration Alters Hippocampal α4 and δ GABAAR Subunits Expression and Behavioral Responses to Progesterone in Adult Rats

17 citations, February 2014 in “The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology”

research Alteration of Ethanol Drinking in Mice via Modulation of the GABAA Receptor with Ganaxolone, Finasteride, and Gaboxadol

34 citations, November 2011 in “Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research”

Three drugs change mice's alcohol drinking patterns by affecting GABAA receptors.

research Studies on Neurosteroids XXV: Influence of a 5α-Reductase Inhibitor, Finasteride, on Rat Brain Neurosteroid Levels and Metabolism

61 citations, September 2008 in “Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin”

Finasteride almost fully depletes allopregnanolone in rat brains and enhances 20α-DHP, but doesn't change 3α-DHP levels.

research Sex Differences in the Effect of Finasteride on Acute Ethanol Withdrawal Severity in C57BL/6J and DBA/2J Mice

34 citations, May 2007 in “Neuroscience”

Finasteride reduces alcohol withdrawal severity in male mice but increases it in female mice.

research The Anxiolytic Effect of Pregnancy in Rats Is Reversed by Finasteride

26 citations, November 2006 in “Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior”

Pregnancy reduces anxiety in rats, but finasteride reverses this effect.