Hair Loss

Steroidogenic enzymes in skin

European Journal of Dermatology. 11, Number 4, 293
S. Andersson,

The gonadal synthesis of testosterone from cholesterol involves four enzymes…. A significant part of the plasma-borne testosterone is converted in androgen target tissues, such as the skin, to the more potent androgen dihydrotestosterone by the steroid 5a-reductase type 1 and type 2 isoenzymes. Dihydrotestosterone, which binds to the nuclear androgen receptor with much greater affinity than testosterone, is the androgen responsible for a process leading to androgenetic alopecia. Consequently, the 5a-reductase inhibitor finasteride was developed and has proven efficacious in promoting hair regrowth. snip…. Aberrant expression of one or more of these enzymes, could conceivably result in increased scalp dihydrotestosterone levels, and possibly, acceleration of the balding process in genetically predisposed men and women.

Keywords : 17b-HSD, 3a-HSD, 3b-HSD, 5a-reductase, dihydrotestosterone, hair loss. hair regrowth

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 at 7:27 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.