The Mineralocorticoid Receptor as a Novel Player in Skin Biology: Beyond the Renal Horizon?

The document explores the role of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in skin and hair biology, traditionally associated with kidney function and cardiovascular health. It reviews evidence from mouse models and human observations indicating that MR is expressed in the skin and may contribute to skin and hair disorders, including alopecia. The paper suggests that MR could be a target for therapeutic intervention, particularly in the context of the side effects of corticosteroid treatments in dermatology. It also discusses the use of MR antagonists like spironolactone and eplerenone in treating cardiovascular conditions and proposes their potential application in treating skin atrophy and hair loss. The document calls for further research to understand the role of MR in skin physiology and its involvement in conditions like androgenic alopecia, as well as the pharmacokinetics of MR antagonists in the skin for both local and systemic administration.