Preventable Effect of L-Threonate, an Ascorbate Metabolite, on Androgen-Driven Balding via Repression of Dihydrotestosterone-Induced Dickkopf-1 Expression in Human Hair Dermal Papilla Cells

The study investigated the effects of L-threonate on dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) expression, a factor in androgen-driven balding. Researchers found that L-threonate attenuated DHT-induced DKK-1 expression in human hair dermal papilla cells, as shown by RT-PCR analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, L-threonate significantly repressed DHT-induced activation of DKK-1 promoter activity. In a co-culture system with outer root sheath keratinocytes and dermal papilla cells, L-threonate reversed the DHT-induced inhibition of cell growth. These findings suggested that L-threonate could be an effective treatment for preventing androgen-driven balding by inhibiting DKK-1 expression.