Higher Levels of Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein and Type I 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase in the Scalp of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

October 2006 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”

WenChieh Chen, Shaw Jenq Tsai, Chen-Yu Liao, Ren-Yeu Tsai, Yi-Ju Chen, Bi-Jen Pan, Chiu-Ling Hung, Christos C. Zouboulis

TLDR Men with baldness have higher levels of specific proteins, suggesting local hormone production may play a role in hair loss.

Men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) have higher levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and type I 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) in their bald scalp compared to hairy scalp. This suggests that locally aberrant production of androgens may play a significant role in the development of AGA. However, further studies are needed to determine the role of de novo androgenesis in the pathogenesis of AGA.

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