Minoxidil May Suppress Androgen Receptor-Related Functions

April 2014 in “ Oncotarget ”

Cheng-Lung Hsu, Jai-Shin Liu, An-Chi Lin, Chih-Hsun Yang, Wen-Hung Chung, Wen-guey Wu

Minoxidil androgen receptor androgenetic alopecia AR transactivation target gene expression androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells peptide-AR interactions AR N- and C-terminal interactions AR transcription AR-related cell growth AR stability Rogaine AGA AR

TLDR Minoxidil can reduce functions related to androgen receptors.

The 2014 study investigated the effects of Minoxidil, a common treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA), on androgen receptor (AR)-related functions. Contrary to previous studies, the researchers found that Minoxidil does affect AR-related functions. Specifically, Minoxidil was found to suppress AR transactivation, target gene expression, and the growth of androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells. It also interfered with peptide-AR interactions and disrupted AR N- and C-terminal interactions, which are necessary for full transcriptional activity of the AR. Furthermore, Minoxidil was found to decrease AR stability. The study concluded that Minoxidil can suppress AR-related functions, including AR transcription and AR-related cell growth, suggesting that the mechanism of action of Minoxidil may include a decrease in AR stability.

View this study on oncotarget.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

16 / 16 results

research Male-Pattern Baldness Susceptibility Locus at 20p11

111 citations, October 2008 in “Nature Genetics”

Researchers found a new gene area linked to male-pattern baldness, which, along with another gene, significantly increases the risk of hair loss in men.

research Genome-Wide Scan and Fine-Mapping Linkage Study of Androgenetic Alopecia Reveals a Locus on Chromosome 3q26

62 citations, March 2008 in “American Journal of Human Genetics”

Hair loss gene found on chromosome 3q26.

research Human Hair Follicles Contain Two Forms of ATP-Sensitive Potassium Channels, Only One Sensitive to Minoxidil

102 citations, February 2008 in “The FASEB Journal”

One minoxidil-sensitive potassium channel exists in human hair follicles.

research Men With Kennedy Disease Have a Reduced Risk of Androgenetic Alopecia

41 citations, August 2007 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Men with Kennedy disease have less chance of hair loss.

research Dihydrotestosterone-Inducible Dickkopf 1 from Balding Dermal Papilla Cells Causes Apoptosis in Follicular Keratinocytes

171 citations, July 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

A substance called DKK-1 increases in balding areas and causes hair cells to die when exposed to DHT.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Clinical Features, Classification, and Treatments

103 citations, June 2007 in “Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America”

Male pattern hair loss is genetic and influenced by hormones, with treatments like minoxidil and surgery available.

research Genetic Variation in the Human Androgen Receptor Gene Is the Major Determinant of Common Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia

195 citations, July 2005 in “American Journal of Human Genetics”

Genetic variation in the androgen receptor gene mainly causes early-onset hair loss, with maternal inheritance playing a key role.

research Minoxidil: Mechanisms of Action on Hair Growth

397 citations, February 2004 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by opening potassium channels and increasing cell activity.

research Immunohistochemical Localization of Types 1 and 2 5α-Reductase in Human Scalp

100 citations, September 1999 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

The study found that two enzymes linked to hair loss are located in different parts of the scalp, supporting a common treatment's effectiveness.

Minoxidil Increases 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and 5α-Reductase Activity in Cultured Human Dermal Papilla Cells from Balding Scalp

research Minoxidil Increases 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase and 5α-Reductase Activity in Cultured Human Dermal Papilla Cells from Balding Scalp

34 citations, February 1999 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Minoxidil boosts enzymes that help hair growth.

research Minoxidil Upregulates the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Human Hair Dermal Papilla Cells

192 citations, March 1998 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts growth factor in hair cells, potentially promoting hair growth.

Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

research Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

416 citations, September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.

research The Effect of Topical Minoxidil on Hair Follicular Cycles of Rats

53 citations, May 1990 in “Journal of Dermatology”

Minoxidil speeds up hair growth in rats without prolonging growth phase.

research Minoxidil Stimulates Mouse Vibrissae Follicles in Organ Culture

121 citations, March 1989 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil can help grow hair in mice by making cells grow and improving hair quality. More research needed.

Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography

research Minoxidil Stimulates Cutaneous Blood Flow in Human Balding Scalps: Pharmacodynamics Measured by Laser Doppler Velocimetry and Photopulse Plethysmography

137 citations, May 1984 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil increases blood flow in balding scalps, possibly reversing hair loss.

research Minoxidil in Severe Hypertension with Renal Failure

100 citations, March 1973 in “American Journal of Cardiology”

Minoxidil effectively lowers blood pressure without major side effects.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Soo... i was pretty bored and was just brainstorming and ended up thinking about gt20029

in Chat 6 upvotes 1 year ago

The conversation discusses maintaining hair regrowth using minoxidil and finasteride and whether using gt20029, which degrades androgen receptors, would affect this. Fluridil, a similar treatment, can disable over 90% of active androgen receptors.

community Physio-metabolic method of treating androgenic alopecia. Cold receptors. The relationship between DHT, cold receptors, minoxidil and antiandrogens.

in Research/Science 1 upvotes 2 weeks ago

A method for treating androgenic alopecia using minoxidil, antiandrogens, exercise, and cold exposure to promote hair growth. Environmental factors and lifestyle changes, like diet and exercise, can improve treatment effectiveness.

Physio-metabolic method of treating androgenic alopecia. Cold receptors. The relationship between DHT, cold receptors, minoxidil and antiandrogens

community Physio-metabolic method of treating androgenic alopecia. Cold receptors. The relationship between DHT, cold receptors, minoxidil and antiandrogens

in Research 411 upvotes 2 weeks ago

Treating androgenic alopecia with minoxidil, finasteride, and antiandrogens, alongside exercise, cryotherapy, and natural substances to stimulate cold receptors for better hair growth. The method focuses on enhancing treatment effectiveness by considering environmental and behavioral factors and the role of cold receptors and muscle stress.

community My Theory Regarding a Cause and Cure for Androgenetic Alopecia

in Treatment 97 upvotes 4 years ago

Hair loss theory suggests imbalance between Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) and Androgen Receptor (AR) activation. Proposed treatment includes upregulating VDR, downregulating AR, and improving mitochondrial health.

community The Real Cause Of Androgenetic Alopecia

in Research/Science 667 upvotes 2 months ago

Androgenetic alopecia is caused by DHT affecting hair growth. Finasteride and minoxidil are used to manage hair loss by blocking DHT and promoting hair growth.

community GT20029 China Phase II Trial For AGA Reached Primary Endpoint

in Research/Science 134 upvotes 8 months ago

The GT20029 tincture, a topical androgen receptor degrader, showed significant hair growth and good safety in a China Phase II trial for male androgenetic alopecia (AGA), with the 1% dose twice weekly identified as optimal. The company plans to initiate Phase III trials in China and Phase II in the U.S., and the treatment also shows promise for acne.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research Androgen Modulation of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Androgenetic Alopecia

39 citations, March 2018 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

Androgens may block hair growth signals, targeting this could treat hair loss.

Body Composition Changes and Inhibition of Fat Development In Vivo Implicate Androgen in Regulation of Stem Cell Lineage Allocation

research Body Composition Changes and Inhibition of Fat Development In Vivo Implicate Androgen in Regulation of Stem Cell Lineage Allocation

37 citations, June 2011 in “Journal of Cellular Biochemistry”

Androgen is important in controlling stem cell differentiation, reducing fat development, and increasing lean mass.

The Modulatable Stem Cell Niche: Tissue Interactions During Hair and Feather Follicle Regeneration