Neuroimmunoregulation of Androgens in the Adrenal Gland and the Skin

The 2000 document examined the complex regulation of adrenal androgens, particularly DHEA, and their impact on skin conditions such as acne, hirsutism, and androgenic alopecia. It detailed the role of the pituitary hormone ACTH, as well as an intraadrenal network involving immune cells, cytokines, and neuroendocrine factors in the regulation of these hormones. The skin's ability to metabolize androgens and its own neuroimmune network were also discussed. Dysregulation of androgens can lead to various skin disorders, and the document emphasized the importance of understanding these regulatory networks for developing new treatments. It concluded that cytokines and neuropeptides within the neuroimmunoendocrine networks of the adrenal gland and skin are crucial in regulating androgen production, with cytokines like IL-6 and TNF-α potentially exacerbating hair loss by stimulating androgen production and altering the hair cycle.