Analysis of Hair Steroid Hormone Concentrations at Different Parts of the Head by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

December 2021 in “ Clinica Chimica Acta ”

Yoshitaka Hobo, Jun Nishikawa, Yoshimichi Miyashiro, Akira Fujikata

dihydrotestosterone testosterone cortisol androgenetic alopecia dermal papillary cells hair follicle liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry DHT T F AGA LC-MS/MS

TLDR Hormone levels in hair vary across the head, with the highest concentration of a key hormone linked to hair loss at the top.

The study analyzed the concentration of steroid hormones in hair from different parts of the head in 8 healthy male volunteers aged 35-55 years. Using a 2-dimensional LC-MS/MS method, the researchers measured the levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone (T), and cortisol (F) in hair samples from 9 points on the head. The results showed that the DHT concentration was highest at the center of the parietal region (top of the head), suggesting local production in dermal papillary cells and a potential association with the clinical symptoms of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The testosterone concentration in the hair follicle was found to be predominantly contributed by passive diffusion from circulating blood.

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