Is androgenic alopecia a result of endocrine effects on the vasculature?
March 2004
in “Medical Hypotheses”
TLDR Male-pattern baldness might be caused by the effect of hormones on scalp blood vessels.
In the 2004 paper by B.A. Caleb Santiago Hernandez, a new hypothesis was presented suggesting that androgenic alopecia, or male-pattern baldness, might be caused by the impact of androgens, specifically dihydrotestosterone (DHT), on the blood vessels of the scalp. The hypothesis was based on evidence of lower oxygen levels in balding scalp regions and reduced blood flow in individuals with the condition. It proposed that DHT could cause changes in the scalp's vasculature, leading to decreased blood supply and oxygen to hair follicles, resulting in their atrophy and subsequent hair loss. The paper called for further research, including histological and biochemical studies, as well as comparisons in animal models, to explore this vascular theory of androgenic alopecia. The author acknowledged that while the hypothesis does not rule out the direct effects of androgens on hair follicles, it offers a new perspective on the condition's development and could influence future medical research and debate.
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