Inhibition of 5α-Reductase Activity in SZ95 Sebocytes and HaCaT Keratinocytes In Vitro
February 2007
in “
Hormone and metabolic research
”
TLDR The substance MK386 effectively blocked testosterone conversion and reduced cell growth in certain skin cells, but inhibiting 5α-reductase alone may not greatly improve acne.
The study investigated the effects of selective 5α-reductase inhibitors on testosterone metabolism in SZ95 sebocytes and HaCaT keratinocytes in vitro. The isotype 1 inhibitor MK386 completely inhibited the conversion of testosterone to 5α-dihydrotestosterone at concentrations higher than 10^-9 M, while isotype 2 inhibitors like finasteride were significantly less effective. MK386 also reduced testosterone-stimulated cell proliferation and protein increase in sebocytes, whereas androgen receptor inhibitors had no effect on 5α-reductase activity. The findings suggested that inhibiting 5α-reductase alone might not be sufficient to reduce sebocyte activity and improve acne, aligning with disappointing clinical results in acne treatment.
