THE ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA, A REVIEW. / LA ALOPECIA ANDROGENICA, REVISION. - DERMAGIC EXPRESS / Dermatologia y Bibliografia - Dermatology & bibliography DERMAGIC EXPRESS / Dermatologia y Bibliografia - Dermatology & bibliography: THE ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA, A REVIEW. / LA ALOPECIA ANDROGENICA, REVISION.

viernes, 14 de abril de 2017

THE ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA, A REVIEW. / LA ALOPECIA ANDROGENICA, REVISION.


 

The Androgenic alopecia and Therapeutic Alternatives. !

 La Alopecia Androgenica y Alternativas Terapeuticas. !









EDITORIAL ENGLISH
 ==================
 Hello friends of the DERMAGIC EXPRESS network today with another interesting topic, currently much discussed and studied: ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA, AND THEIR THERAPEUTIC ALTERNATIVES.
 
Firstly, it is necessary to explain to the NON MEDICAL audience, that angrogenic alopecia is the LOSS OF HAIR produced by an increase of ANDROGENS, (mainly testosterone), in our body, both in man and woman. Specifically its metabolite or derivative called: DEHYDROTESTOSTERONE.
 
This excess of ANDROGENS specifically DYHIDROTESTOSTERONE, are deposited in the hair follicle, and cause the hair to fall. This is the main mechanism that causes ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA. 

Characterized by a progressive hair loss, affects both men and women post pubertal, which can become severe in both sexes. In women diseases such as the POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME, it causes an increase in androgens with subsequent hair loss.
 
In man, the disease undoubtedly has a genetic component, Because not everyone is affected, and It is important that you know that, there are men who will NEVER SUFFER FROM ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA, generally there is always a history of baldness in those affected.
 
Also it is necessary to explain that the hair is not "ADHERED WITH GLUE" to the scalp, it has a cycle of "LIFE: ANAGEN, or growth, lasts from 1 to 7 years, CATAGEN, or transicion, that lasts from 2 to 3 months and TELOGEN or resting which lasts about 3 months, then the hair falls and is replaced by a new one.
 
USUALLY 50 TO 100 HAIRS FALL EVERY DAY.
 
It is interesting that you also know that when the body is submitted to a great STRESS, and other factors the hair enters prematurely in the TELOGEN PHASE and the hair begins to fall abundantly producing a remarkable ALOPECIA.
 
So factors such as the STRES and others that alter the hair CYCLE will contribute to the ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA be worse.
 
Another factor that worsens ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA is the SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS  of the scalp, commonly called "INCREASE OF THE GREASE IN THE HAIR, so that the more you use an anti-dandruff shampoo, there will be less SEBORRHEA therefore less hair loss.
 
Treatments for ALOPECIA ANDROGENICA are varied, and I highlight the most used today:
 
 1.) MINOXIDIL, TOPICAL (ANTIHYPERTENSIVE).
 2.) FINASTERIDE (5-ALPHA REDUCTASE INHIBITOR).
 3.) DUTASTERIDE (5-ALPHA REDUCTASE INHIBITOR).
 4.) FLUTAMIDE (5-ALPHA REDUCTASE INHIBITOR).
 5.) CYPROTERONE ACETAT. (ORAL ANTICONCEPTIVE)
 6.) SPIRONOLACTONE. (ORAL ANTIDIURETIC).
 7.) SERENOA REPENS OR SAW PALMETTO (NATURIST, ANTI-ANDROGEN).
 8.) CYPERUS ROTUNDUS (NATURIST).
 9.) TOPICAL STEROIDS.
10.) ANTI-DANDRUFF SHAMPOO (KETOCONAZOLE, ZINC PIRYTHIONE, BIFONAZOLE)
 11.) DROSPIRENONE (ORAL ANTICONCEPTIVE).

There is in our body an ezyme called 5 alpha reductase that is responsible for converting TESTOSTERONE IN DIHYDROTESTOSTERONE. By increasing this metabolite, the greater the fall of hair.

Therefore, one of the strategies to avoid ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA is to inhibit the enzyme 5 alpha reductase, and for that already have been invented and discovered pharmacological and natural medicines
 
All these medicines have their ADVANTAGES and their ADVERSE EFFECTS, but if we place ourselves in reality, science has advanced remarkably in this field, many years ago it was popularly said:
 
  "...TO THE FALL OF THE HAIR ONLY STOPS THE FLOOR OR SOIL .."
 
 Today this old adage is not true, mainly due to the appearance of drugs like DUTASTERIDE, FINASTERIDE and FLUTAMIDE, which inhibit the enzyme 5 alpha reductase, the main cause of the increase of ANDROGENS in our body.
 
I leave you 61 bibliographical references on this theme and in the attached photos of ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA in MEN and WOMEN.
 




Greetings.

Dr. Jose Lapenta.



EDITORIAL ESPANOL
===================

Hola amigos de la red DERMAGIC EXPRESS hoy con otro tema interesante, actualmente muy discutido y estudiado: ALOPECIA ANDROGENICA, Y SUS ALTERNATIVAS TERAPEUTICAS.

Primeramente hay que explicar a la audiencia NO MEDICA, que la alopecia androgenia es la perdida del cabello producida por un aumento de los ANDROGENOS, (principalmente la testosterona), en nuestro cuerpo, tanto en el hombre como la mujer. especificamente su metabolito o derivado llamado: DIHIDROTESTOSTERONA.

Este exceso de ANDROGENOS especificamente la DIHIDROTESTOSTERONA, se depositan en el foliculo piloso y provocan la caida del cabello. Este es el mecanismo principal que ocasiona LA ALOPECIA ANDROGENICA.

Caracterizada por una caida del cabello progresiva, que afecta tanto hombres como mujeres post puberales, la cual puede llegar a ser severa en ambos sexos. En la mujer enfermedades como el SINDROME DE OVARIO POLIQUISTICO, produce aumento de los androgenos con la subsecuente caida del cabello.

En el hombre, la enfermedad tiene sin duda un componente genético, porque no todo el mundo está afectado, y es importante que usted sepa que, hay hombres que NUNCA SUFRIRAN DE ALOPECIA ANDROGENICA, generalmente siempre hay un historial de calvicie en los afectados.

Tambien hay que explicar que el cabello no esta "ADHERIDO CON PEGAMENTO" al cuero cabelludo, tiene un ciclo de de "VIDA: ANAGENO, o crecimiento, dura de 1 a 7 años, CATAGENO, o de transicion, que dura de 2 a 3 meses y TELOGENO o de reposo la cual dura unos 3 meses aproximadamente, luego el cabello se cae y es sustituido por uno nuevo.

NORMALMENTE SE CAEN ENTRE 50 Y 100 CABELLOS DIARIOS.

Es interesante que tambien sepas que cuando el cuerpo esta sometido a un gran ESTRES, y otros factores el cabello entra prematuramente en FASE TELOGENA y comienza a caerse abundantemente produciendo una notable ALOPECIA.

De modo que factores como el ESTERES y otros que alteren el CICLO del cabello contribuiran a que la ALOPECIA ANDROGENICA sea mayor.

Otro factor que que empeora LA ALOPECIA ANDROGENICA ES LA DERMATITIS SEBORREICA del cuero cabelludo, comunmente denominada "AUMENTO DE LA GRASA EN EL CABELLO, de modo que mientras mas uses un champu anticaspa, MENOS SEBORREA habra, por lo tanto menos caida del cabello.

Tratamientos para LA ALOPECIA ANDROGENICA hay variados, y te resalto los mas utilizados hoy dia:

1.) MINOXIDIL, TOPICO (ANTIHIPERTENSIVO).
2.) FINASTERIDE (INHIBIDOR DE LA 5-ALFA REDUCTASA).
3.) DUTASTERIDE (INHIBIDOR DE LA 5-ALFA REDUCTASA).
4.) FLUTAMIDA (INHIBIDOR DE LA 5-ALFA REDUCTASA).
5.) CYPROTERONA ACETATO (ANTICONCEPTIVO ORAL).
6.) ESPIRONOLACTONA (ANTIDIURETICO ORAL).
7.) SERENOA REPENS O PALMETTO SAW (NATURISTA, ANTI-ANDROGENO).
8.) CYPERUS ROTUNDUS (NATURISTA).
9.) ESTEROIDES TÓPICOS.
10.) CHAMPU ANTI-CASPA. (KETOCONAZOL, PIRITIONATO DE ZINC, BIFONAZOL)
11.) DROSPIRENONA (ANTICONCEPTIVO ORAL).


Existe en nuestro cuerpo una ezima denominada 5 alpha reductasa que es la encargada de convertir la TESTOSTERONA EN DIHIDROTESTOSTERONA. Al aumentar este metabolito, mayor sera la caida del cabello.

Por lo tanto una de las estrategias para evitar la ALOPECIA ANDROGENICA es inhibir la enzima 5 alfa reductasa, y para ello ya se han inventado y descubierto medicinas farmacologicas y naturistas.


Toadas estas medicinas tienen sus VENTAJAS y sus EFECTOS ADVERSOS, pero si nos ubicamos en la realidad, la ciencia ha avanzado notablemente en este campo, hace muchos años se decia popularmente: 

" ...A LA CAIDA DEL CABELLO SOLO LA DETIENE EL PISO O SUELO.."


Hoy dia este viejo adagio no es cierto, por la aparicion de medicamentos principalmente como DUTASTERIDE, FINASTERIDE Y FLUTAMIDA, los cuales inhiben la enzima 5 alfa reductasa, principal causante del aumento de los ANDROGENOS en nuestro cuerpo.

Te dejo 61 referencias bibliograficas sobre el tema y en el adjunto fotos de ALOPECIA ANDROGENICA en HOMBRE y MUJER.

Saludos a todos.

Dr. Jose Lapenta.



 =============================================================
 REFRENCIAS BIBLIOGRAFICAS / BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES
 ============================================================= 
1.) Increased scalp skin and serum 5 alpha-reductase reduced androgens in a man relevant to the acquired progressive kinky hair disorder and developing androgenetic alopecia.
2.) Androgen metabolism as it affects hair growth in androgenetic alopecia.
3.) [Finasteride: a new drug for the treatment of male hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia?] [La finasteride: un nuovo farmaco nel trattamento dell'irsutismo e dell' alopecia androgenica maschile?]
4.) Alterations in androgen conjugate levels in women and men with alopecia.
5.) Hormonal basis of male and female androgenic alopecia: clinical relevance.
6.) [Current treatment of androgenetic male and female alopecia(with the exception of hormone treatment)] [Traitements actuels des alopecies androgenetiques masculines et feminines (traitements hormonaux exceptes).]
7.) Androgenetic alopecia: an autosomal dominant disorder.
8.) [Hair growth promoters in androgenetic alopecia. Expectations and reality] [Haarwuchsmittel bei androgenetischer Alopezie. Anspruch und Realitat.]
9.) Effects of ozonized autohaemotherapy on human hair cycle.
10.) Estrogen and progesterone receptors in androgenic alopecia versus alopecia areata.
11.) Androgens and women's health.
12.) Female androgenetic alopecia: an update.
13.) A prospective study of the prevalence of clear-cut endocrine disorders and polycystic ovaries in 350 patients presenting with hirsutism or androgenic alopecia.
14.) Ketoconazole shampoo: effect of long-term use in androgenic alopecia. 
15.) Anagen hairs may fail to replace telogen hairs in early androgenic female alopecia. 
16.) Different levels of 5alpha-reductase type I and II, aromatase, and androgen receptor in hair follicles of women and men with androgenetic alopecia. 
17.) Safety surveillance of esterified estrogens-methyltestosterone
 (Estratest and Estratest HS) replacement therapy in the United States. 
18.) Balding hair follicle dermal papilla cells contain higher levels ofandrogen receptors than those from non-balding scalp.  
19.) A comparison of the culture and growth of dermal papilla cells from hair follicles from non-balding and balding (androgenetic alopecia) scalp. 
20.) Messenger RNA expression of steroidogenesis enzyme subtypes in thehuman pilosebaceous unit. 
21.) Treatment of androgen excess in females: yesterday, today and tomorrow. 
22.) Association of benign prostatic hyperplasia with male pattern baldness. 
23.) Hair regrowth. Therapeutic agents. 
24.) Androgenic effects of oral contraceptives: implications for patient compliance. 
25.) Diffuse hypertrichosis during treatment with 5% topical minoxidil.
26.) Minoxidil upregulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human hair dermal papilla cells. 
27.) Biphasic effects of minoxidil on the proliferation and differentiation of normal human keratinocytes. 
28.) Alopecia and mood stabilizer therapy. 
29.) Improvement in androgenetic alopecia (stage V) using topical minoxidil in a retinoid vehicle and oral finasteride [see comments] 
30.) Clinical significance of testosterone and dihydrotestosteronemetabolism in women] 
31.) The 5 alpha-reductase system and its inhibitors. Recent development
 and its perspective in treating androgen-dependent skin disorders. 
32.) Finasteride: a clinical review. 
33.) 19-nor-10-azasteroids: a novel class of inhibitors for human steroid 5alpha-reductases 1 and 2. 
34.) Genetic analysis of male pattern baldness and the 5alpha-reductase genes. 
35.) Effects of topically applied spironolactone on androgen stimulated sebaceous glands in the hamster pinna. 
36.) Androgens affect the activity of human sebocytes in culture in a manner dependent on the localization of the sebaceous glands and their effect is antagonized by spironolactone. 
37.) Antiandrogen treatment with spironolactone and linestrenol decreases bone mineral density in eumenorrhoeic women with androgen excess. 
38.) [Serum hormones before and during therapy with cyproterone acetate and spironolactone in patients with androgenization] 
39.) The insulin resistance in women with hyperandrogenism is partially reversed by antiandrogen treatment: evidence that androgens impair insulin action in women. 
40.) Topical spironolactone reduces sebum secretion rates in young adults. 
41.) Other antiandrogens. 
42.) Mechanism of action and pure antiandrogenic properties of flutamide. 
43.) Drospirenone: a novel progestogen with antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic activity.  
44.) Cutaneous Manifestations of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Clinical Study.
45.) A Retrospective Review of Treatment Results for Patients With Central Centrifugal Cicatrical Alopecia.
46.) The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
47.) Dutasteride in androgenetic alopecia: An update.
48.) A randomized, active- and placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of different doses of dutasteride versus placebo and finasteride in the treatment of male subjects with androgenetic alopecia.
49.) New Treatments for Hair Loss.
50.) Efficacy and safety of 5% minoxidil topical foam in male pattern hair loss treatment and patient satisfaction.
51.) Post-Finasteride Adverse Effects in Male Androgenic Alopecia: A Case Report of Vitiligo.
52.) Adverse Effects and Safety of 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors (Finasteride, Dutasteride): A Systematic Review.
53.) Atypical post-finasteride syndrome: A pharmacological riddle.
54.) Emotional Consequences of Finasteride: Fool's Gold.
55.) The importance of dual 5alpha-reductase inhibition in the treatment of male pattern hair loss: results of a randomized placebo-controlled study of dutasteride versus finasteride.
56.) Interventions for female pattern hair loss.
57.) Antiandrogenic Therapy with Ciproterone Acetate in Female Patients Who Suffer from Both Androgenetic Alopecia and Acne Vulgaris.
58.) Treatment of female pattern hair loss.
59.) [Spironolactone in dermatological treatment. On and off label indications].
60.) Treatment of male androgenetic alopecia with topical products containing Serenoa repens extract.
61.) Comparitive effectiveness of finasteride vs Serenoa repens in male androgenetic alopecia: a two-year study.
 
 ======================================================================
 1.) Increased scalp skin and serum 5 alpha-reductase reduced androgens in a man relevant to the acquired progressive kinky hair disorder and developing androgenetic alopecia.
 ======================================================================
 
 Arch Dermatol 1997 Sep;133(9):1129-33 (ISSN: 0003-987X)
 
 Boudou P; Reygagne P [Find other articles with these Authors]
 
 Department of Hormonal Biology, Saint-Louis University Hospital, Paris,
 France.
 
 BACKGROUND: The acquired progressive kinking of scalp hair is a disorder in
 which affected
 hairs resemble secondary sexual hairs. Some authors have evoked an
 androgen-related disorder
 that heralds the onset of androgenetic alopecia. To verify this hypothesis,
 we focused our attention
 on a 23-year-old man who has this unusual disorder, which is progressing
 toward androgenetic
 alopecia. Patient's circulating 5 alpha-reductase reduced androgen levels;
 scalp skin 5
 alpha-dihydrotestosterone formation; and trichography, histological,
 scanning, and polarizing
 electron microscopy analyses were compared in normal and affected scalp
 skin areas.
 OBSERVATIONS: Results of histological and scalp skin 5
 alpha-dihydrotestosterone formation
 analyses and comparison of growth pattern of kinky hair in the affected
 areas with that of healthy
 hair were similar to those found in androgenetic alopecia. CONCLUSIONS: No
 data are available
 to confirm the presence of a sole entity, even if our arguments support our
 hypothesis. The
 confirmation of this tendency warrants further investigation. 
 
 ======================================================================
 2.) Androgen metabolism as it affects hair growth in 
 androgenetic alopecia.
 ======================================================================
 Dermatol Clin 1996 Oct;14(4):697-711 (ISSN: 0733-8635)
 
 Kaufman KD [Find other articles with this Author]
 
 Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, New Jersey, USA.
 
 Androgens, in combination with a genetic susceptibility, have been
 demonstrated to be required for
 the development of androgenetic alopecia. Disturbances in androgen
 metabolism or target organ
 sensitivity are thought to underlie the pathophysiology of the condition.
 Observations of patients with
 disorders of androgen metabolism or function have determined the basic
 physiology involved in
 regulation of hair growth by androgens at selective body sites. More
 recently, in vitro studies of
 scalp skin and hair follicles have begun to define specific alterations in
 androgen metabolism at the
 local level that may play a key role in pathogenesis. The prominent role of
 5-reductase in these
 studies suggests that inhibitors of this enzyme may provide new therapeutic
 opportunities for patients
 with androgenetic alopecia. 
 
 ======================================================================
 3.) [Finasteride: a new drug for the treatment of male hirsutism
 and androgenetic alopecia?]
 [La finasteride: un nuovo farmaco nel trattamento dell'irsutismo e
 dell'alopecia androgenica maschile?]
 ======================================================================
 Clin Ter 1996 Jun;147(6):305-15 (ISSN: 0009-9074)
 
 Spinucci G; Pasquali R [Find other articles with these Authors]
 
 Dipartimento di Medicina interna e Gastroenterologia, Policlinico S.
 Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna.
 
 Finasteride is a drug which inhibits the transformation of testosterone
 into its active metabolite,
 dihydrotestosterone, in the target organs, i.e. the skin, the scalp, the
 liver and the prostate. In the
 pathogenic mechanism of hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia, and important
 role is presumably
 played by alterations of the mechanisms which transform testosterone into
 dihydrotestosterone. In
 some conditions an increase in dihydrotestosterone has been demonstrated,
 due to increased
 activity of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase. The effect of finasteride
 develops above all at the level of
 type II 5 alpha-reductase. Recent studies have evaluated the effect of
 finasteride in patients of both
 sexes with hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia. In women with various forms
 of hyperandrogenism,
 the use of the drug at the doses commonly used for the treatment of benign
 prostatic hyperplasia
 seems to have induced a significant reduction in the degree of hirsutism.
 Furthermore, both in
 animals and men with alopecia, the drug seems to have led to an increase in
 the number and an
 improvement in the shape of the follicles in the anagen phase, and a
 simultaneous decrease of
 dehydrotestosterone at the level of the scalp. This study represents a
 review of the main results
 obtained over the last two years and reports the prospects which the use of
 finasteride may have in
 this context. 
 
 
 ======================================================================
 4.) Alterations in androgen conjugate levels in women and men with alopecia.
 ======================================================================
 Fertil Steril 1994 Oct;62(4):744-50 (ISSN: 0015-0282)
 
 Legro RS; Carmina E; Stanczyk FZ; Gentzschein E; Lobo RA [Find other
 articles with these
 Authors]
 
 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California
 School of Medicine,
 Los Angeles.
 
 OBJECTIVE: To assess levels of androgen metabolites thought to reflect, at
 least in part,
 peripheral androgen activity in women with androgenic alopecia and men with
 premature balding
 in an effort to determine if a common abnormality exists. DESIGN:
 Prospective study in various
 groups of women and men. SETTING: Reproductive Endocrine Clinic at our
 university medical
 center. PATIENTS: Ten normal ovulatory female controls and 50
 hyperandrogenic women divided
 on the basis of hirsutism and alopecia as follows: [1] 8 hirsute women with
 androgenic alopecia;
 [2] 12 nonhirsute women with androgenic alopecia; [3] 18 hirsute women
 without androgenic
 alopecia; and [4] 12 nonhirsute women without androgenic alopecia. Ten
 normal men and 10
 young premature balding men matched for age and weight also were compared.
 INTERVENTION:
 Blood was obtained from all subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Comparison of
 blood
 hormone levels in the various groups. RESULTS: Serum T, androstenedione,
 and DHEAS were
 similarly elevated in hyperandrogenic women with and without alopecia,
 compared with controls.
 The female groups were then divided on the basis of hirsutism. Hirsute
 groups with and without
 alopecia had similarly elevated levels of unconjugated 3
 alpha-androstanediol, 3
 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide, 3 alpha-androstanediol sulfate,
 androsterone glucuronide, and
 androsterone sulfate compared with controls. In the nonhirsute groups,
 androgenic alopecia
 patients were compared with hyperandrogenic females and cycling controls.
 The androgenic
 alopecia patients had elevated levels of 3 alpha androstanediol (0.75 +/-
 0.12 versus 0.46 +/- 0.1
 and 0.41 +/- 0.1 nmol/L), 3 alpha-androstanediol sulfate (200 +/- 31 versus
 79.6 +/- 6 and 67.0
 +/- 4.0 nmol/L), elevated ratios of 3 alpha-androstanediol sulfate:3
 alpha-androstanediol (267 +/-
 49 versus 170 +/- 20 and 164 +/- 49 nmol/L), elevated ratios of 3
 alpha-androstanediol sulfate:3
 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide (32.2 +/- 6 versus 10.8 +/- 1 and 10.0 +/-
 1) and lower ratios of
 3 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide:3 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide (8.3
 +/- 1.8 versus 17 +/-
 1.7 and 15.2 +/- 1.6 nmol/L). In men the premature balding group had lower
 levels of 3
 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide compared with the male controls (29.8 +/-
 4.4 versus 15.2 +/-
 1.6 nmol/L). Also, the ratio of 3 alpha-androstanediol glucuronide:3
 alpha-androstanediol was
 significantly decreased, whereas the ratio of 3 alpha-androstanediol
 sulfate:3 alpha-androstanediol
 glucuronide was elevated. CONCLUSIONS: These data provided evidence
 confirming that
 enhanced 5 alpha-reductase activity occurs in androgenic alopecia but also
 suggests that a
 disorder of androgen conjugation, favoring sulfurylation over
 glucuronidation, may be a
 characteristic feature of scalp hair loss. 
 
 ======================================================================
 5.) Hormonal basis of male and female androgenic alopecia: clinical relevance.
 ======================================================================
 Skin Pharmacol 1994;7(1-2):61-6 (ISSN: 1011-0283)
 
 Schmidt JB [Find other articles with this Author]
 
 Department of Dermatology, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria.
 
 A broad range of hormones was determined in males and females with
 androgenic hair loss (AH).
 The androgens testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate,
 17-hydroxyprogesterone and sex hormone binding globulin were evaluated in
 65 male and 46
 female patients. Besides estradiol (E2), cortisol (F), and the hypophyseal
 hormones LH, FSH, and
 prolactin (PRL) were investigated. Hormone levels were compared with those
 of 58 age-matched
 male and 45 female controls. In 38 of the 46 female AH patients,
 hypophyseal function was
 moreover evaluated by the 'TRH test', which detects slight, secondary
 hypothyroidism and/or
 hyperprolactinemia. Our findings showed a significant elevation of F in
 both male and female AH
 patients compared to controls, pointing to the suprarenes as a contributing
 factor in AH. This is
 confirmed by the observation of exacerbated AH in periods of increased
 stress. Concerning
 specifically male androgens, a significant elevation of androstenedione was
 noted. The mainly
 peripheral activity of this hormone and elevated E2 levels in males stress
 the importance of
 androgen metabolism especially at the peripheral level. Additional TRH
 tests in females
 demonstrated significant hypophyseal hypothyroidism. Multilayered
 interaction between thyroid
 hormones and androgens may contribute to the development of AH in
 hyperthyroid patients.
 Another significant finding was elevated PRL after TRH stimulation. Thus,
 the androgen-stimulating
 effect of PRL may also play a role in female AH. Our findings show
 multilayered hormonal
 influences in AH. Broad-range hormone determination demonstrated a
 differentiated hormonal
 situation in this disorder. 
 
 ======================================================================
 6.) [Current treatment of androgenetic male and female alopecia
 (with the exception of hormone treatment)]
 [Traitements actuels des alopecies androgenetiques masculines et feminines
 (traitements hormonaux exceptes).]
 ======================================================================
 
 Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax 1997 Jun 4;86(23):996-9 (ISSN: 1013-2058)
 
 Bouhanna P [Find other articles with this Author]
 
 Centre Sabourdaud du Cuir chevelu, Hopital Saint-Louis, Paris.
 
 Various non-hormonal therapies, either prescribed systemically such as
 certain hair-specific
 vitamins, or applied via the topical route, such as 2% Minoxidil, permit a
 normalisation of
 androgenic hair loss. The trichogenic action of these products should be
 verified in each individual
 with a comparative study using a trichogram and a phototrichogram. Any
 alopecia, be it large or
 small, may cause aesthetic discomfort. Currently, no medical or cosmetic
 product can give hope for
 a discernible and definitive hair regrowth. Only a micrograft
 reimplantation, hair by hair, produces
 tangible, aesthetically-denser hair in the bald region. 
 
 ======================================================================
 7.) Androgenetic alopecia: an autosomal dominant disorder.
 ======================================================================
 Am J Med 1995 Jan 16;98(1A):95S-98S (ISSN: 0002-9343)
 
 Bergfeld WF [Find other articles with this Author]
 
 Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195-5032.
 
 A hereditary, androgen-driven disorder, androgenetic alopecia is the most
 common form of
 alopecia in humans: its prevalence is 23-87%. Central alopecia is more
 severe in men; women are
 more likely to experience diffuse thinning. The acute onset of alopecia in
 those with inflammatory
 diseases of the scalp suggests a variety of etiologies, including the
 impact of inflammatory cells,
 release of cytokines, presence of growth factors, and increased interaction
 of stromal cells.
 Therapeutic modalities, which are most effective when used in combinations,
 utilize hair growth
 promoters, antiandrogens, and androgen blockade agents. 
 
 ======================================================================
 8.) [Hair growth promoters in androgenetic alopecia. Expectations and reality]
 [Haarwuchsmittel bei androgenetischer Alopezie. Anspruch und Realitat.]
 ======================================================================
 Hautarzt 1994 Jun;45(6):360-3 (ISSN: 0017-8470)
 
 Schell H; Kiesewetter F; Hornstein OP [Find other articles with these Authors]
 
 Dermatologische Universitats-Klinik, Erlangen.
 
 Androgenetic hair loss is the most frequent reason for the topical
 application of
 hair-growth-promoting agents. Such preparations should arrest or even
 reverse androgen-induced
 hair follicle regression as well as prolonging the hair cycles, especially
 of the shortened anagen
 phase, and thus protect from increased hair loss. True evidence of drug
 effects on hair growth is
 problematic, since trichograms, the method chiefly applied by the
 manufacturers, fail to reveal every
 factor involved in the follicular activity, especially the duration of
 anagen stage. For example, an
 increase in the anagen rate does not always reflect a lengthening of the
 anagen stage, but may also
 be due to shortened hair cycles. Accordingly, drug effects on hair growth
 should be investigated by
 methods that analyse the cell cycle kinetics. For this approach
 DNA-flowcytometry of the outer
 root sheath in plucked anagen hairs and of complete anagen hair bulbs taken
 by micropreparative
 techniques from scalp biopsies offers a reproducible method for quick and
 reliable evaluation of hair
 growth. 
 
 ======================================================================
 9.) Effects of ozonized autohaemotherapy on human hair cycle.
 ======================================================================
 Panminerva Med 1995 Sep;37(3):129-32 (ISSN: 0031-0808)
 
 Riva Sanseverino E; Castellacci P; Misciali C; Borrello P; Venturo N [Find
 other articles with these
 Authors]
 
 Institute of Human Physiology, University of Bologna, Italy.
 
 The present paper deals with the effects of ozonized autohaemotherapy on
 the human hair cycle in
 subjects suffering from androgenetic alopecia. The microscopic observation
 of hairs (trichogram) of
 42 subjects (age range = 17-40 years) was carried out before and after
 cycles of ozonized
 autohaemotherapy according to the European scientific protocol. The dosage
 of ozone was
 2500-3000 micrograms for each treatment, one cycle consisting of 16
 treatments. Results showed a
 marked improvement of the hair cycle. 
 
 ======================================================================
 10.) Estrogen and progesterone receptors in androgenic alopecia
 versus alopecia areata.
 ======================================================================
 Am J Dermatopathol 1998 Apr;20(2):160-3 (ISSN: 0193-1091)
 
 Wallace ML; Smoller BR [Find other articles with these Authors]
 
 Department of Pathology and Dermatology, Medical College of
 Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth
 University, Richmond, USA.
 
 In some situations, hair growth is under hormonal control. Androgenic
 alopecia is characterized as
 hormonally driven hair loss in the genetically susceptible individual.
 During pregnancy, hair growth is
 increased, as estrogen appears to prolong the anagen phase. However,
 postpartum hair loss is
 common, and thus may be related to a decrease in estrogen and or
 progesterone levels. In contrast,
 alopecia areata is not considered to be under hormonal control. We compared
 the
 immunohistochemical staining characteristics of nine cases of androgenic
 alopecia with those of 13
 cases of alopecia areata using estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone
 receptor (PR) markers.
 Estrogen receptor positivity in the dermal papilla was found in only two of
 13 cases of alopecia
 areata, and in one case of androgenic alopecia. Six of 13 cases of alopecia
 areata
 demonstrated focal reactivity with the progesterone marker in a similar
 location, while only three
 cases of androgenic alopecia showed positivity with this antibody.
 Examination of the perifollicular
 fibroblasts for the ER marker showed positivity in one of 13 cases of
 alopecia areata and in one
 case of androgenic alopecia. Two cases of alopecia areata revealed focal
 staining in this location
 for the PR marker, while the androgenic alopecia cases failed to stain.
 These results indicate that
 estrogen and progesterone receptor expression is not significantly
 increased or decreased in the
 pilosebaceous units or surrounding mesenchymal cells in androgenic alopecia
 vs. alopecia
 areata. Therefore, an indirectly mediated process of estrogen/progesterone
 control on hair growth
 and development must be presumed for cases of androgenic alopecia. 
 
 ======================================================================
 11.) Androgens and women's health.
 ======================================================================
 Int J Fertil Womens Med 1998 Mar-Apr;43(2):91-7
 
 Redmond GP [Find other articles with this Author]
 
 Center for Health Studies, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio 44122, USA.
 
 Androgenic disorders are those conditions in women characterized by
 excessive androgen action.
 They are the most common endocrinopathy of women, affecting from 10% to
 20%. Signs are:
 persistent acne, hirsutism and androgenic alopecia, which is the female
 equivalent of male pattern
 baldness. A subgroup, those traditionally labeled as having polycystic
 ovary syndrome (PCOS),
 additionally have anovulation, as well as menstrual abnormalities and,
 often, obesity. Although
 women with androgenic disorders usually present themselves for help with
 the skin or menstrual
 changes, there are other important implications regarding their health.
 Women with PCOS have
 varying degrees of insulin resistance, and an increased incidence of Type
 II diabetes mellitus, as well
 as unfavorable lipid patterns. The presence of these risk factors is
 suggested by upper segment
 obesity, darkening of the skin, and the other skin changes that make up
 acanthosis nigricans.
 Diagnosis involves measurement of circulating androgens (of which free
 testosterone is most
 important), together with prolactin and FSH when menstrual dysfunction is
 present. Many women
 with androgenic skin changes have normal serum androgen levels, suggesting
 increased end organ
 sensitivity to androgens. Others have hyperandrogenism (of ovarian or
 adrenal origin). Treatment is
 usually successful in controlling acne, reducing hirsutism and stabilizing,
 or partially reversing,
 androgenic alopecia. Pharmacological approaches involve suppressing
 androgen levels, for
 example, the use of an appropriate oral contraceptive, or antagonizing
 androgen action with several
 medications that have this activity. Unfortunately, most women with
 androgenic disorders are
 frustrated in their efforts to obtain medical help. Understanding
 androgenic disorders will enable the
 physician to significantly help the majority of women with these conditions. 
 
 ======================================================================
 12.) Female androgenetic alopecia: an update.
 ======================================================================
 Australas J Dermatol 1995 May;36(2):51-5; quiz 56-7 (ISSN: 0004-8380)
 
 Callan AW; Montalto J [Find other articles with these Authors]
 
 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville,
 Victoria, Australia.
 
 Androgenetic alopecia is an androgen dependent disorder occurring in
 genetically susceptible
 individuals. The pattern of hair loss in women differs from that of
 classical male pattern alopecia,
 being more diffuse and with retention of the frontal hair line in most
 cases. Characteristic
 histopathological changes occur but biopsy is rarely helpful in diagnosis.
 Although research has
 shown subtle alterations in the androgen status of women with androgenetic
 alopecia, most
 patients presenting with this disorder are normal endocrinologically.
 Anti-androgen therapy will
 result in some improvement in up to 50% of patients after 6 to 12 months of
 therapy, but in practice
 will usually only decrease the rate of hair loss and not result in new hair
 growth. 
 
 ======================================================================
 13.) A prospective study of the prevalence of clear-cut endocrine
 disorders and polycystic ovaries in 350 patients presenting
 with hirsutism or androgenic alopecia.
 ======================================================================
 Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 1994 Aug;41(2):231-6 (ISSN: 0300-0664)
 
 O'Driscoll JB; Mamtora H; Higginson J; Pollock A; Kane J; Anderson DC [Find
 other articles with
 these Authors]
 
 Department of Radiology, Skin Hospital, Salford.
 
 OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of polycystic ovaries (PCO) on
 ultrasound and the
 incidence of clearcut endocrine disorders leading to virilization in
 patients complaining of hirsutism or
 androgenic alopecia. The major purpose was to determine a coherent policy
 for the routine
 biochemical assessment of such women. DESIGN: A prospective study of women
 attending a joint
 skin/endocrine clinic complaining of these problems. PATIENTS: Three
 hundred and fifty
 consecutive women with hirsutism and/or androgenic alopecia were assessed.
 MEASUREMENTS: Baseline endocrine screens were conducted on two occasions
 and included
 measurement of serum testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone
 sulphate, sex
 hormone binding globulin, LH, FSH, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and PRL. The
 ovaries were
 visualized by high-resolution pelvic ultrasound scanning. RESULTS: Eight
 women were identified
 with relevant endocrine disorders; of these, one was acromegalic and one had a
 microprolactinoma--in both cases the association may have been fortuitous.
 Three had clear-cut
 21-hydroxylase deficiency, one a rare hepatic enzyme deficiency
 (11-reductase), one a virilizing
 adrenal carcinoma and one a Leydig cell tumour. The latter six cases all
 had persistently elevated
 levels of serum testosterone ( 5 nmol/l). In all, 13 women had baseline
 testosterone levels in
 excess of 5 nmol/l. Polycystic ovaries were present in 81% of the cases who
 had erratic cycles and
 52% of those with regular cycles; PCO were present in two of the women with
 21-hydroxylase
 deficiency and in the woman with 11-oxoreductase deficiency. The Leydig
 cell tumour (1.2 cm
 diameter) was not detected on ultrasound or CT scan. CONCLUSIONS: For the
 exclusion of
 enzyme deficiencies and virilizing tumours clinical assessment and a single
 serum testosterone
 measurement will suffice. 
 
 ======================================================================
 14.) Ketoconazole shampoo: effect of long-term use in androgenic alopecia. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Pi´erard-Franchimont C; De Doncker P; Cauwenbergh G; Pi´erard GE 
 Address 
 Department of Dermatopathology, University of Li`ege, Belgium. 
 Source 
 Dermatology, 196(4):474-7 1998 
 Abstract 
 BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of androgenic alopecia is not fully
 understood. A
 microbial-driven inflammatory reaction abutting on the hair follicles
 might participate in the
 hair status anomaly. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine
 if ketoconazole
 (KCZ) which is active against the scalp microflora and shows some
 intrinsic
 anti-inflammatory activity might improve alopecia. METHOD: The effect
 of 2% KCZ
 shampoo was compared to that of an unmedicated shampoo used in
 combination with or
 without 2% minoxidil therapy. RESULTS: Hair density and size and
 proportion of anagen
 follicles were improved almost similarly by both KCZ and minoxidil
 regimens. The sebum
 casual level appeared to be decreased by KCZ. CONCLUSION: Comparative
 data suggest
 that there may be a significant action of KCZ upon the course of
 androgenic alopecia and
 that Malassezia spp. may play a role in the inflammatory reaction. The
 clinical significance of
 the results awaits further controlled study in a larger group of
 subjects. 
 
 ======================================================================
 15.) Anagen hairs may fail to replace telogen hairs in early androgenic
 female alopecia. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Guarrera M; Rebora A 
 Address 
 Department of Dermatology, University of Genoa, Italy. 
 Source 
 Dermatology, 192(1):28-31 1996 
 Abstract 
 Background: Male baldness develops because of an increased duration of
 the lag phase.
 Objective and Methods: To assess if this occurs also in balding women
 we studied 2 women
 with Ludwig type I-II patterned baldness for 2 years with monthly
 phototrichograms. Hairs
 were identified as thick anagen hairs, thin anagen hairs and telogen
 hairs. Results and
 Conclusions: Most of the hairs followed the expected development,
 namely they remained
 thick anagen hairs or they became thick from thin anagen, telogen from
 thick anagen or thin
 anagen from telogen hairs. Other hairs, though, became thin from thick
 anagen or telogen
 from thin anagen or thick anagen from telogen hairs. Still others did
 not regrow immediately
 after being in the telogen phase, leaving an empty space. Some empty
 spaces were not
 refilled for a long time. As in men, in balding women tiny bald spots
 develop corresponding to
 telogen hairs not replaced in due time. 
 
 ======================================================================
 16.) Different levels of 5alpha-reductase type I and II, aromatase, and
 androgen receptor in hair follicles of women and men with androgenetic
 alopecia. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Sawaya ME; Price VH 
 Address 
 Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610, U.S.A. 
 Source 
 J Invest Dermatol, 109(3):296-300 1997 Sep 
 Abstract 
 In this study, 12 women and 12 men, ages 18-33 y, with androgenetic
 alopecia were
 selected for biopsies from frontal and occipital scalp sites. The
 androgen receptor, type I
 and II 5alpha-reductase, cytochrome P-450-aromatase enzyme were
 measured and
 analyzed in hair follicles from these scalp biopsies. Findings
 revealed that both women and
 men have higher levels of receptors and 5alpha-reductase type I and II
 in frontal hair follices
 than in occipital follicles, whereas higher levels of aromatase were
 found in their occipital
 follicles. There are marked quantitative differences in levels of
 androgen receptors and the
 three enzymes, which we find to be primarily in the outer root sheath
 of the hair follicles in the
 two genders. Androgen receptor content in female frontal hair
 follicles was approximately
 40% lower than in male frontal hair follicle. Cytochrome
 P-450-aromatase content in
 women's frontal hair follicles was six times greater than in frontal
 hair follicles in men. Frontal
 hair follicles in women had 3 and 3.5 times less 5alpha-reductase type
 I and II, respectively,
 than frontal hair follicles in men. These differences in levels of
 androgen receptor and
 steroid-converting enzymes may account for the different clinical
 presentations of
 androgenetic alopecia in women and men. 
 
 ======================================================================
 17.) Safety surveillance of esterified estrogens-methyltestosterone
 (Estratest and Estratest HS) replacement therapy in the United States. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Phillips E; Bauman C 
 Address 
 Drug Safety Unit, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Marietta, Georgia, USA. 
 Source 
 Clin Ther, 19(5):1070-84 1997 Sep-Oct 
 Abstract 
 This paper summarizes all postmarketing safety surveillance data
 collected by Solvay
 Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Marietta, Georgia), between 1989 and 1996 for
 Estratest and
 Estratest HS (half-strength). These oral esterified
 estrogens--methyltestosterone combination
 products have been marketed in the United States since 1964 for the
 treatment of
 moderate-to-severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause in
 patients whose
 symptoms have not been relieved by estrogens alone. Between 1989 and
 1996, more than 1
 million woman-years of exposure occurred. The safety profile contained
 in this paper is
 based on a cumulative total of 568 individual cases comprising 863
 adverse events (AEs).
 The proportions of AEs associated with the use of Estratest (575
 events; 66.6%) and
 Estratest HS (288 events; 33.4%) were commensurate with the
 proportions of individual
 reports of adverse experiences for the two formulations (369 reports
 [65.0%] and 199
 reports [35.0%], respectively). The rank order and percentage of types
 of AEs reported
 were also similar. The cumulative volume of reports was relatively low
 given the extent of
 exposure. Despite the limitations inherent in spontaneous
 postmarketing surveillance, the
 safety profile derived from this assessment does not indicate a
 significant safety concern with
 Estratest or Estratest HS. No deaths were reported, and no adverse
 findings indicative of the
 need for more comprehensive surveillance or concern on the part of the
 medical community
 or consumers were observed. Reports of cancer, cardiovascular disease,
 thromboembolic
 phenomena, and hepatic dysfunction were few and were assessed as not
 related to treatment
 with Estratest or Estratest HS; reports of drug overdose, drug-drug
 interaction, and birth
 defects were rare (4 of 863 events; 0.5%). The most commonly reported
 AEs were those
 known to be associated with estrogen therapy (weight gain, headache,
 nausea, and
 vasodilatation) and androgen treatment (alopecia, acne, and
 hirsutism). Twenty-three
 (4.0%) of the 568 cases reported had at least one event that was
 regarded as serious, and
 53 (6.1%) of the total 863 AEs were regarded as serious. The findings
 indicate that Estratest
 and Estratest HS are safe when used as directed and that the marginal
 increase in risk
 associated with androgen coadministration can be managed with
 appropriate patient
 selection and monitoring, as stated in the package insert for these
 compounds. 
 
 ======================================================================
 18.) Balding hair follicle dermal papilla cells contain higher levels of
 androgen receptors than those from non-balding scalp. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Hibberts NA; Howell AE; Randall VA 
 Address 
 Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Bradford, UK. 
 Source 
 J Endocrinol, 156(1):59-65 1998 Jan 
 Abstract 
 Androgens can gradually transform large scalp hair follicles to
 smaller vellus ones, causing
 balding. The mechanisms involved are unclear, although androgens are
 believed to act on
 the epithelial hair follicle via the mesenchyme-derived dermal
 papilla. This study investigates
 whether the levels and type of androgen receptors in primary lines of
 cultured dermal papilla
 cells derived from balding scalp hair follicles differ from those of
 follicles from non-balding
 scalp. Androgen receptor content was measured by saturation analysis
 using the
 non-metabolisable androgen, [3H]mibolerone (0.05-10 nM) in a 9-10
 point assay. Pubic
 dermal fibroblasts and Shionogi cells were examined as positive
 controls. Repetitive assays of
 Shionogi cells showed good precision in the levels of androgen
 receptor content (coefficient
 of variation = 3.7%). Specific, high affinity, low capacity androgen
 receptors were detected
 in dermal papilla cells from both balding and non-balding follicles.
 Balding cells contained
 significantly (P < 0.01) greater levels of androgen receptors (Bmax =
 0.06 +/- 0.01
 fmol/10(4) cells (mean +/- S.E.M.)) than those from non-balding scalp
 (0.04 +/- 0.001).
 Competition studies with a range of steroids showed no differences in
 receptor binding
 specificity in the two cell types. The higher levels of androgen
 receptors in cells from balding
 scalp hair follicles with similar properties to those from non-balding
 scalp concur with the
 expectations from their in vivo responses to androgens. This supports
 the hypothesis that
 androgens act via the dermal papilla and suggests that cultured dermal
 papilla cells may offer
 a model system for studying androgen action in androgenetic alopecia. 
 ======================================================================
 19.) A comparison of the culture and growth of dermal papilla cells from
 hair follicles from non-balding and balding (androgenetic alopecia) scalp. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Randall VA; Hibberts NA; Hamada K 
 Address 
 Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Bradford, U.K. 
 Source 
 Br J Dermatol, 134(3):437-44 1996 Mar 
 Abstract 
 Male pattern baldness is a common, androgen-dependent skin problem in
 adult men which
 is not well understood, although androgens are believed to act on the
 hair follicle via the
 mesenchyme-derived dermal papilla situated in the middle of the hair
 follicle bulb. Since
 dermal papilla cells retain specific characteristics in culture, such
 as hair-growth promoting
 ability and appropriate features of the mechanism of androgen action,
 dermal papilla cells
 from follicles undergoing androgen-stimulated miniaturization may
 provide a useful in vitro
 model system. Therefore, dermal papilla cells have been derived from
 intermediate follicles
 from balding and nearly clinically normal sites of men with
 androgenetic alopecia. Balding
 dermal papillae were much smaller than non-balding ones and grew much
 less well under
 normal growth conditions. Supplementing the medium with human serum,
 rather than fetal calf
 serum, increased both the yield of established cultures and the number
 and health of the
 dermal papilla cells produced. Non-balding cells also grew faster in
 human serum. Balding
 cells retained the normal fibroblastic shape and aggregative behaviour
 of dermal papilla cells,
 but always grew less well than non-balding cells. Nearly clinically
 normal dermal papillae
 were similar, or slightly smaller, in size to non-balding ones, but
 their growth resembled
 balding cells. Since balding dermal papilla cells can be cultured,
 though with much greater
 difficulty than nonbalding ones, and exhibit differing growth
 characteristics to non-balding
 cells, they merit further investigation which may increase our
 understanding of, and ability to
 control, androgenetic alopecia. 
 ======================================================================
 20.) Messenger RNA expression of steroidogenesis enzyme subtypes in the
 human pilosebaceous unit. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Courchay G; Boyera N; Bernard BA; Mahe Y 
 Address 
 Hair Biology Research Group, L'Or´eal, Centre de recherche C. Zviak,
 Clichy, France. 
 Source 
 Skin Pharmacol, 9(3):169-76 1996 
 Abstract 
 In order to define the respective involvement of steroidogenesis
 enzymes subtypes in the
 control of hair follicle homeostasis, we evaluated, by
 semiquantitative RT/PCR, the
 expression levels of mRNAs coding for 17 beta-hydroxysteroid
 dehydrogenase type 1 and
 type 2, 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, Cyt.P450-aromatase,
 steroid 5
 alpha-reductase type 1 and type 2 and 11 beta-hydroxysteroid
 dehydrogenase. These assays
 were performed for several components of the pilosebaceous unit (PSU);
 fresh plucked
 anagen hairs, sebaceous glands and primary culture of dermal papilla,
 as well as other tissues
 involved in an active steroid metabolism (human testis, liver,
 placenta, prostate, ovary, uterus
 and adrenals) as controls. We found that plucked hair (i.e. mainly
 keratinocytes from the
 inner and outer root sheaths) expressed: (1) very high levels of 17
 beta-hydroxysteroid
 dehydrogenase type 2 corresponding to levels found in liver and
 placenta; (2) high levels of
 steroid 5-alpha-reductase type 1 corresponding to levels found in
 testis, liver and ovary, and
 moderate levels of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, which
 corresponded to
 the expression in testis, prostate and uterus. In contrast,
 Cyt.P450-aromatase, 3
 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and steroid 5 alpha-reductase type 2
 were poorly
 expressed in the pilosebaceous unit as compared with other tissues.
 Interestingly, expression
 patterns of these enzymes in primary cultures of dermal papilla were
 distinctive since 5
 alpha-reductase type 1 and 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase were
 the only mRNA
 detected. Taken together, these results suggest that not only
 sebaceous gland but also outer
 root sheath keratinocytes may contribute, through the activity of the
 steroid 5 alpha-reductase
 type 1, to the pathogenesis of androgen-dependent alopecia. 
 ======================================================================
 21.) Treatment of androgen excess in females: yesterday, today and tomorrow. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Pucci E; Petraglia F 
 Address 
 Institute of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, Italy. 
 Source 
 Gynecol Endocrinol, 11(6):411-33 1997 Dec 
 Abstract 
 Hirsutism, acne and androgenic alopecia represent, in females, some of
 the manifestations
 of the clinical spectrum of hyperandrogenism. These pictures represent
 not only cosmetic
 damage, but also a source of remarkable psychological distress. Often
 hirsutism is regarded
 as presumptive evidence of a lack of femininity. The major diagnostic
 concern is to exclude
 an ovarian or adrenal androgen-secreting tumor, a congenital
 hyperplasia or polycystic
 ovary disease. Ethnic background should be taken into account together
 with the progression
 of the symptoms. Following the etiology, surgery and exogenous
 glucocorticoids or inhibition
 of gonadotropin secretion have to be carefully chosen in the
 management of different kinds of
 hyperandrogenism. Several pharmacologic agents have recently shown the
 ability to block the
 androgen receptors at target organ sites, thus allowing a specific
 antiandrogenic treatment.
 In some cases cosmetic measures could be of great value. Obesity
 accompanied by
 hyperinsulinemia can represent the main cause of ovary androgen
 hypersecretion; therefore
 a reduced body weight and muscle activity represent the basis of any
 treatment. Some other
 drugs, such as long-acting analogs of somatostatin, could be
 considered among possible
 drugs for the future. The aim of this article is to provide an
 appraisal of what is presently
 known about the regulation of hair growth, the various causes of
 excessive androgen
 secretion and the current methods to solve, safely, this important
 feminine clinical problem. 
 ======================================================================
 22.) Association of benign prostatic hyperplasia with male pattern baldness. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Oh BR; Kim SJ; Moon JD; Kim HN; Kwon DD; Won YH; Ryu SB; Park YI 
 Address 
 Department of Urology, Chonnam University Medical School, Kwangju,
 South Korea. 
 Source 
 Urology, 51(5):744-8 1998 May 
 Abstract 
 OBJECTIVES: Both benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and male pattern
 baldness
 (androgenic alopecia) share the pathogenesis of an androgen-dependent
 disorder and
 afflict a large population of elderly men with chronobiologic
 progress. However, it is unclear
 whether these diseases are related epidemiologically. We evaluated the
 association of
 frequency and severity of male pattern baldness between patients with
 BPH and a control
 group. METHODS: A total of 225 patients with BPH (mean age 69.3 +/-
 6.5 years) and 1
 60 controls (mean age 68.5 +/- 6.4 years), all over 60 years of age,
 were included in this
 study. The estimation of baldness severity was based on Norwood's
 classification (grade I to
 VII). The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and genetic
 tendency for baldness
 were also evaluated. The difference between IPSS and grade of baldness
 between the two
 groups was analyzed by the Mann-Whitney test and the frequency of
 inherited baldness was
 compared by the chi-square test. Correlation between severity of
 baldness and IPSS in each
 group was estimated by Spearman's rank correlation method. RESULTS:
 The patients with
 BPH had an apparently higher grade of male pattern baldness in
 comparison with that of
 controls (median value of grade IV versus III, P <0.001). The
 proportion of men with male
 pattern baldness of grade IV or higher in the BPH group was
 significantly larger than that of
 controls (53.8% versus 36.9%, P <0.01). There was a greater frequency
 of inherited
 baldness in the BPH group than in the controls (31.6% versus 12.5%, P
 <0.001). No
 significant correlation was noted between baldness severity and IPSS
 in either group.
 CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a strong association of BPH with
 male pattern
 baldness. 
 
 ======================================================================
 23.) Hair regrowth. Therapeutic agents. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Shapiro J; Price VH 
 Address 
 University of British Columbia Hair Research and Treatment Centre,
 Division of
 Dermatology, Vancouver, Canada. 
 Source 
 Dermatol Clin, 16(2):341-56 1998 Apr 
 Abstract 
 Today there are new classes of hair growth promotors with proven
 efficacy. This article
 reviews the current state of the art agents for treatment of two of
 the most common forms of
 hair loss encountered in clinical practice, androgenetic alopecia and
 alopecia areata. Current
 therapeutic strategies are based on recent advances in the
 understanding of disordered hair
 growth. Practical treatment protocols are presented. 
 ======================================================================
 24.) Androgenic effects of oral contraceptives: implications for patient
 compliance. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Jones EE 
 Address 
 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of
 Medicine, New
 Haven, Connecticut. 
 Source 
 Am J Med, 98(1A):116S-119S 1995 Jan 16 
 Abstract 
 Androgenic disorders have many negative physical effects. These
 effects may be caused by
 excess androgen (exogenous or endogenous) or by end-organ sensitivity
 to normal levels of
 androgens. Historically, androgenic progestins in oral contraceptives
 have also been
 associated with some of these negative effects. The most apparent
 signs of androgen excess
 are the external manifestations, including oily skin, acne, hirsutism,
 android obesity, and
 androgenic alopecia. Of equal concern are the potential metabolic
 disturbances associated
 with hyperandrogenicity. Unfavorable lipid profiles and increased
 incidence of diabetes and
 hypertension are very real threats to long-term health. In oral
 contraceptive users, external
 manifestations of androgenicity often lead to poor compliance,
 decreased efficacy, and
 discontinuation of oral contraceptive use, especially in the younger
 patient. With the
 introduction of the newer oral contraceptive formulations containing
 less androgenic
 progestins (norgestimate, desogestrel, gestodene), androgen-related
 effects have been
 reduced and better compliance is anticipated. 
 Language 
 
 ======================================================================
 25.) Diffuse hypertrichosis during treatment with 5% topical minoxidil.
 ======================================================================
 
 Author 
 Peluso AM; Misciali C; Vincenzi C; Tosti A 
 Address 
 Department of Dermatology, University of Borogna, Italy. 
 Source 
 Br J Dermatol, 136(1):118-20 1997 Jan 
 Abstract 
 Five women affected by androgenetic alopecia developed severe
 hypertrichosis of the face
 and limbs after 2-3 months of treatment with 5% topical minoxidil.
 Minoxidil was
 discontinued and in all patients the hypertrichosis disappeared from
 the face and arms after
 1-3 months, and from legs after 4-5 months. Systemic absorption of
 minoxidil, and a high
 sensitivity to minoxidil of the follicular apparatus in these areas,
 is hypothesized. 
 ======================================================================
 26.) Minoxidil upregulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth
 factor in human hair dermal papilla cells. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Lachgar S; Charveron M; Gall Y; Bonafe JL 
 Address 
 Laboratoire de Biologie Cellulaire Cutan´ee, Institut de Recherche
 Pierre Fabre, Facult´e de
 M´edecine Rangueil, Toulouse, France. 
 Source 
 Br J Dermatol, 138(3):407-11 1998 Mar 
 Abstract 
 The hair follicle dermal papilla which controls hair growth, is
 characterized in the anagen
 phase by a highly developed vascular network. We have demonstrated in
 a previous study
 that the expression of an angiogenic growth factor called vascular
 endothelial growth factor
 (VEGF) mRNA varied during the hair cycle. VEGF mRNA is strongly
 expressed in dermal
 papilla cells (DPC) in the anagen phase, but during the catagen and
 telogen phases. VEGF
 mRNA is less strongly expressed. This involvement of VEGF during the
 hair cycle allowed us
 to determine whether VEGF mRNA expression by DPC was regulated by
 minoxidil. In
 addition, the effect of minoxidil on VEGF protein synthesis in both
 cell extracts and
 DPC-conditioned medium, was investigated immunoenzymatically. Both
 VEGF mRNA and
 protein were significantly elevated in treated DPC compared with
 controls. DPC incubated
 with increasing minoxidil concentrations (0.2, 2, 6, 12 and 24
 mumol/L) induced a
 dose-dependent expression of VEGF mRNA. Quantification of transcripts
 showed that DPC
 stimulated with 24 mumol/L minoxidil express six times more VEGF mRNA
 than controls.
 Similarly, VEGF protein production increases in cell extracts and
 conditioned media following
 minoxidil stimulation. These studies strongly support the likely
 involvement of minoxidil in
 the development of dermal papilla vascularization via a stimulation of
 VEGF expression, and
 support the hypothesis that minoxidil has a physiological role in
 maintaining a good
 vascularization of hair follicles in androgenetic alopecia. 
 ======================================================================
 27.) Biphasic effects of minoxidil on the proliferation and differentiation
 of normal human keratinocytes. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Boyera N; Galey I; Bernard BA 
 Address 
 L'Or´eal, Hair Biology Research Group, Clichy, France. 
 Source 
 Skin Pharmacol, 10(4):206-20 1997 
 Abstract 
 Minoxidil is the most used drug with proved effects in the treatment
 of androgenetic
 alopecia (AGA), but little is known about its pharmacological activity
 and target cells in hair
 follicles. As AGA is characterized by follicle atrophy, accelerated
 hair cycles and hair fiber
 thinning, we postulated that keratinocyte
 proliferation/differentiation is affected and we tested
 Minoxidil's effects on those parameters. Normal human keratinocytes
 (NHK) of follicular
 or epidermal origin were cultured in the presence of Minoxidil (0,
 0.1, 1, 10, 100, 1,000
 microM) during 5-8 days in various media (high-/low-calcium content,
 with or without
 serum). Proliferation was assessed by mitochondrial dehydrogenase
 activity (XTT), BrdU
 incorporation, lysosome numeration (neutral red incorporation) and
 total protein dosage.
 Drug-induced cytotoxicity was measured by lactate dehydrogenase
 release in culture
 supernatant, and pro-differentiating effects were evaluated by
 relative involucrin expression
 (ELISA dosage). On this basis, we showed that Minoxidil had biphasic
 effects on the
 proliferation and differentiation of NHK: Minoxidil stimulated NHK
 proliferation at
 micromolar doses, while antiproliferative, pro-differentiative and
 partially cytotoxic effects
 were observed with millimolar concentrations. We can hypothesize that
 Minoxidil
 hypertrichotic activity in vivo is possibly mediated by the
 maintenance of proliferative
 potential in follicular keratinocytes precociously committed to
 differentiation. 
 ======================================================================
 28.) Alopecia and mood stabilizer therapy. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 McKinney PA; Finkenbine RD; DeVane CL 
 Address 
 Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA. 
 Source 
 Ann Clin Psychiatry, 8(3):183-5 1996 Sep 
 Abstract 
 Alopecia is a common side effect in patients managed on the mood
 stabilizers lithium,
 valproate, and carbamazepine. Clinicians may be reluctant to
 discontinue medications in
 patients suffering from hair loss if the mood stabilizer is otherwise
 efficacious. Therefore it is
 important to be familiar with the epidemiology, diagnosis, and
 management of alopecia. A
 single representative case is provided to illustrate briefly the
 common presentation of a patient
 with mood stabilizer-induced alopecia. A literature search was
 conducted to provide the
 basis for discussion of diagnosis, the association of mood stabilizers
 with alopecia, and some
 management options of this side effect. The diagnosis of alopecia
 requires an understanding
 of normal hair growth and is best made following a careful history, an
 examination, and the
 maintenance of a high level of suspicion. Alopecia occurs in about 10%
 of persons managed
 on lithium, up to 12% of persons on valproate, and less than 6% of
 individuals on
 carbamazepine. Management of alopecia includes reassurance, hair care
 techniques, trace
 mineral supplementation, treatment with minoxidil, and hair
 replacement pieces. Alopecia
 due to mood stabilizer drugs can be potentially identified and managed
 without medication
 discontinuation. 
 
 ======================================================================
 29.) Improvement in androgenetic alopecia (stage V) using topical minoxidil
 in a retinoid vehicle and oral finasteride [see comments] 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Walsh DS; Dunn CL; James WD 
 Address 
 Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. 
 Source 
 Arch Dermatol, 131(12):1373-5 1995 Dec 
 ======================================================================
 30.) Clinical significance of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone
 metabolism in women] 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Kor¨si´c M 
 Address 
 Zavod za endokrinologiju, dijabetes i bolesti metabolizma Klinike za
 unutarnje bolesti, KBC
 Rebro, Zagreb. 
 Source 
 Lijec Vjesn, 118 Suppl 1():21-3 1996 Mar 
 Abstract 
 Hyperandrogenism in women refers to both excess androgen production
 and clinical
 manifestations of androgen excess. Clinical evaluation of women with
 hyperandrogenism is
 complex. The synthesis and release of androgenic steroid in women are
 normal part of
 adrenal and ovarian steroidogenesis. One of the classic questions
 concerning androgenic
 disorders concerns the source of circulating androgens. Relative roles
 of adrenal and ovary
 vary greatly, both can be involved. The use of gonadal or adrenal
 steroid administration can
 sometimes be used to distinguish the source of androgen excess. In
 many cases of
 hyperandrogenism no laboratory diagnosis of adrenal and ovarian
 androgen overproduction
 can be made. These patients may have increased androgen sensitivity
 due to increased
 enzyme 5 alpha-reductase activity in the skin. To be active in the
 skin, testosterone (T) must
 be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the 5 alpha-reductase.
 The increase in DHT
 production is a localized phenomenon and there is no generalized
 increase in enzyme activity
 in women with hyperandrogenism. DHT is rapidly converted to other
 steroid metabolites
 including androsteron, androstanediol and their glucuronide and
 sulfate conjugates. Although
 once thought to be specific for skin conversion of T to DTH these
 androgen conjugates
 reflect adrenal steroid production and metabolism. Antiandrogens
 (androgen receptor
 blockers) are the most effective therapeutic modalities of cutaneous
 hyperandrogenism.
 Clinical trials are in progress to determine efficacy of finasteride
 for the treatment of
 hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride is the first
 available medication of a new
 class of drugs that is an competitive inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase
 and therefore should be
 beneficial for medical treatment of cutaneous hyperandrogenism. 
 ======================================================================
 31.) The 5 alpha-reductase system and its inhibitors. Recent development
 and its perspective in treating androgen-dependent skin disorders. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Chen W; Zouboulis CC; Orfanos CE 
 Address 
 Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Benjamin
 Franklin, Free University
 of Berlin, Germany. 
 Source 
 Dermatology, 193(3):177-84 1996 
 Abstract 
 5 alpha-Reductase, the enzyme system that metabolizes testosterone into
 dihydrotestosterone, occurs in two isoforms. The type 1 isozyme is
 composed of 259 amino
 acids, has an optimal pH of 6-9 and represents the 'cutaneous type';
 it is located mainly in
 sebocytes but also in epidermal and follicular keratinocytes, dermal
 papilla cells and sweat
 glands as well as in fibroblasts from genital and non-genital skin.
 The type 2 isozyme is
 composed of 254 amino acids, has an optimal pH of about 5.5 and is
 located mainly in the
 epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate and fetal genital skin as well
 as in the inner root sheath
 of the hair follicle and in fibroblasts from normal adult genital
 skin. The genes encoding type 1
 and type 2 isozymes are found in chromosomes 5p and 2p, respectively,
 and each consists of
 5 exons and 4 introns. During the last decade, several steroid
 analogues and non-steroid
 agents have been developed to interfere with 5 alpha-reductase
 activity. Finasteride, which
 has a higher affinity for the type 2 isozyme, is the first 5
 alpha-reductase antagonist clinically
 introduced for treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia. The clinical
 evaluation of finasteride
 or other 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors in the field of dermatology has
 been very limited; in
 particular, those that selectively bind to type 1 isozyme (e.g.
 MK-386, LY191704) may be
 regarded as candidates for treatment of androgen-dependent skin
 disorders such as
 seborrhoea, acne, hirsutism and/or androgenetic alopecia. 
 ======================================================================
 32.) Finasteride: a clinical review. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Gormley GJ 
 Address 
 Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, NJ 07065-0914, USA. 
 Source 
 Biomed Pharmacother, 49(7-8):319-24 1995 
 Abstract 
 Finasteride is the first of a new class of 5 alpha-reductase
 inhibitors which allows selective
 androgen deprivation affecting dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in
 target organs such as the
 prostate and scalp hair without effecting circulating levels of
 testosterone thus preserving the
 desired androgen mediated effects on muscle strength, bone density and
 sexual function.
 Finasteride has been demonstrated to produce significant effects in
 men with an enlarged
 prostate gland. The long-term data now emerging suggests that
 progression of benign
 prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may be arrested providing additional long
 term benefits.
 Experimental uses in prostate cancer prevention and male pattern
 baldness offer new and
 exciting possibilities for this class of compounds. 
 
 ======================================================================
 33.) 19-nor-10-azasteroids: a novel class of inhibitors for human steroid
 5alpha-reductases 1 and 2. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Guarna A; Belle C; Machetti F; Occhiato EG; Payne AH; Cassiani C;
 Comerci A; Danza G;
 De Bellis A; Dini S; Marrucci A; Serio M 
 Address 
 Dipartimento di Chimica Organica Ugo Schiff, Universit`a di Firenze,
 Italy.
 guarna@chimorg.unifi.it 
 Source 
 J Med Chem, 40(7):1112-29 1997 Mar 28 
 Abstract 
 Steroid 5alpha-reductase is a system of two isozymes (5alphaR-1 and
 5alphaR-2) which
 catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of testosterone to
 dihydrotestosterone in many
 androgen sensitive tissues and which is related to several human
 endocrine diseases such as
 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatic cancer, acne, alopecia,
 pattern baldness in
 men and hirsutism in women. The discovery of new potent and selective
 5alphaR inhibitors is
 thus of great interest for pharmaceutical treatment of these diseases.
 The synthesis of a novel
 class of inhibitors for human 5alphaR-1 and 5alphaR-2, having the
 19-nor-10-azasteroid
 skeleton, is described. The inhibitory potency of the
 19-nor-10-azasteroids was determined
 in homogenates of human hypertrophic prostates toward 5alphaR-2 and in
 DU-145 human
 prostatic adenocarcinoma cells toward 5alphaR-1, in comparison with
 finasteride (IC50 =
 3 nM for 5alphaR-2 and approximately 42 nM for 5alphaR-1), a drug
 which is currently
 used for BPH treatment. The inhibition potency was dependent on the
 type of substituent at
 position 17 and on the presence and position of the unsaturation in
 the A and C rings.
 delta9(11)-19-Nor-10-azaandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (or
 10-azaestra-4,9(11)-diene-3,17-dione) (4a) and
 19-nor-10-azaandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione
 (5) were weak inhibitors of 5alphaR-2 (IC50 = 4.6 and 4.4 microM,
 respectively) but more
 potent inhibitors of 5alphaR-1 (IC50 = 263 and 299 nM, respectively),
 whereas
 19-nor-10-aza-5alpha-androstane-3,17-dione (7) was inactive for both
 the isoenzymes. The
 best result was achieved with the 9:1 mixture of delta9(11)- and
 delta8(9)-17beta-(N-tert-butylcarbamoyl)-19-nor-10-aza-4-
 androsten-3-one (10a,b)
 which was a good inhibitor of 5alphaR-1 and 5alphaR-2 (IC50 = 127 and
 122 nM,
 respectively), with a potency very close to that of finasteride. The
 results of ab initio
 calculations suggest that the inhibition potency of
 19-nor-10-azasteroids could be directly
 related to the nucleophilicity of the carbonyl group in the 3-position. 
 
 ======================================================================
 34.) Genetic analysis of male pattern baldness and the 5alpha-reductase
 genes. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Ellis JA; Stebbing M; Harrap SB 
 Address 
 Department of Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville,
 Victoria, Australia. 
 Source 
 J Invest Dermatol, 110(6):849-53 1998 Jun 
 Abstract 
 Genetic predisposition and androgen dependence are important
 characteristics of the
 common patterned loss of scalp hair known as male pattern baldness.
 The involvement of the
 5alpha-reductase enzyme in male pattern baldness has been postulated
 due to its role in the
 metabolism of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. There are two known
 isozymes of
 5alpha-reductase. Type I has been predominantly localized to the skin
 and scalp. Type II,
 also present on the scalp, is the target of finasteride, a promising
 treatment for male pattern
 baldness. We conducted genetic association studies of the
 5alpha-reductase enzyme genes
 (SRD5A1 on chromosome 5 and SRD5A2 on chromosome 2) using dimorphic
 intragenic
 restriction fragment length polymorphisms. From a population survey of
 828 healthy families
 comprising 3000 individuals, we identified 58 young bald men (aged
 18-30 y) and 114 older
 nonbald men (aged 50-70 y) for a case control comparison. No
 significant differences were
 found between cases and controls in allele, genotype, or haplotype
 frequencies for restriction
 fragment length polymorphisms of either gene. These findings suggest
 that the genes encoding
 the two 5alpha-reductase isoenzymes are not associated with male
 pattern baldness. Finally,
 no clear inheritance pattern of male pattern baldness was observed.
 The relatively strong
 concordance for baldness between fathers and sons in this study was
 not consistent with a
 simple Mendelian autosomal dominant inheritance. A polygenic etiology
 should be
 considered. 
 
 ======================================================================
 35.) Effects of topically applied spironolactone on androgen stimulated
 sebaceous glands in the hamster pinna. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Seki T; Toyomoto T; Morohashi M 
 Address 
 Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Toyama Medical and
 Pharmaceutical
 University, Japan. 
 Source 
 J Dermatol, 22(4):233-7 1995 Apr 
 Abstract 
 The effects of spironolactone (5% SYC-201G, a preparation developed
 for clinical use in
 acne vulgaris by Searle Yakuhin K.K.), which is known to have
 antiandrogenic effects by
 competitively inhibiting dihydrotestosterone at androgen receptor
 sites, was topically applied
 to the androgen stimulated sebaceous glands of adult female golden
 hamsters. Androgen
 stimulation, induced by intramuscular injection of testosterone
 propionate (TP) every other
 day over a two week period, resulted in a 2.5 to 2.7 time increase in
 the size of the
 sebaceous glands of the hamster pinna. Once-daily treatment with 5%
 SYC-201G or
 matching placebo was applied to androgen-stimulated hamsters on one
 pinna only during the
 same period as TP injection. Comparison between the treated and
 untreated sides revealed a
 significant suppression in the sebaceous gland size (p < 0.05) by 5%
 SYC-201G; no such
 effect was observed with placebo. The difference in the suppression
 rate of the sebaceous
 gland size between 5% SYC-201G (23%) and matching placebo (-4.7%) was
 significant (p < 0.01). 
 
 ======================================================================
 36.) Androgens affect the activity of human sebocytes in culture in a
 manner dependent on the localization of the sebaceous glands and their
 effect is antagonized by spironolactone. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Zouboulis CC; Akamatsu H; Stephanek K; Orfanos CE 
 Address 
 Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Steglitz, Free
 University of Berlin,
 FRG. 
 Source 
 Skin Pharmacol, 7(1-2):33-40 1994 
 Abstract 
 To investigate the varying response of the pilosebaceous unit to
 androgens functional studies
 were performed on the effects of testosterone and 5
 alpha-dihydrotestosterone on cultured
 human sebocytes derived from different skin regions. In addition, the
 effect of
 spironolactone on the proliferation of androgen-stimulated human
 sebocytes derived from
 facial skin was evaluated. Testosterone (10(-11) to 10(-5) M), 5
 alpha-dihydrotestosterone
 (10(-11) to 10(-5) M) and spironolactone (10(-12) to 10(-7) M) were
 added for 10 days
 as single substances or in combinations to human sebocytes in
 secondary culture maintained
 in a serum-free medium. Cell proliferation was assessed using a
 fluorometric assay.
 Intracellular lipids were extracted from sebocytes treated with
 androgens (10(-7) M) for 10
 days after confluency. Testosterone inhibited the proliferation of
 sebocytes derived from the
 legs with a 50%-inhibitory concentration at 10(-5) M and induced a 50%
 decrease of
 intracellular lipids. In contrast, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone
 stimulated the activity of leg
 sebocytes with a 50% increase of proliferation at 10(-5) M, and a 175%
 increase of
 intracellular lipids. On the other hand, the proliferation of facial
 sebocytes was significantly
 stimulated by testosterone with a 50%-stimulatory concentration at
 10(-6) to 10(-5) M and
 mostly by 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone with a 50% enhancement at 10(-8)
 to 10(-7) M.
 Spironolactone inhibited the proliferation of facial sebocytes in a
 dose-dependent manner
 with a 25%-inhibitory concentration at 10(-9) M. Simultaneous
 treatment of facial sebocytes
 with spironolactone and testosterone or 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone
 resulted in decreased
 proliferation when compared to the growth obtained under androgens
 alone.(ABSTRACT
 TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) 
 ======================================================================
 37.) Antiandrogen treatment with spironolactone and linestrenol decreases
 bone mineral density in eumenorrhoeic women with androgen excess. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Pre¨zelj J; Kocijan¨ci¨c A 
 Address 
 Medical Centre Ljubljana, Endocrinology, Ljubljana, Slovenia. 
 Source 
 Horm Metab Res, 26(1):46-8 1994 Jan 
 Abstract 
 Increased bone mineral density (BMD) has been reported in young women
 with androgen
 excess. To determine whether antiandrogen treatment in young women
 with androgen
 excess reduces BMD in these patients, the authors measured BMD before
 and a year after
 the beginning of antiandrogen therapy with spironolactone and
 linestrenol in 17 consecutive
 androgenized patients (median age 22 years). After a year's treatment
 BMD declined in 15
 out of 17 patients, the mean decrease--0.032 g/cm2 (95% CI of the
 difference
 0.016-0.048)--being highly significant (p < 0.001). Androstenedione
 decrease was the only
 hormonal variable significantly correlating with BMD decrease (r =
 0.5; p = 0.037) according
 to simple linear regression. A decrease of BMD might become a key
 factor in deciding about
 the duration of antiandrogen treatment with spironolactone in functional
 hyperandrogenemia. 
 
 ======================================================================
 38.) [Serum hormones before and during therapy with cyproterone acetate and
 spironolactone in patients with androgenization] 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Grunwald K; Rabe T; Schlereth G; Runnebaum B 
 Address 
 Abt. f¨ur gyn¨akologische Endokrinologie und Fortpflanzungsmedizin,
 Universit¨ats-Frauenklinik Heidelberg. 
 Source 
 Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd, 54(11):634-45 1994 Nov 
 Abstract 
 The effect of cyproterone acetate (CPA) and spironolactone (SPL) on
 the serum
 androgen concentrations of premenopausal women with symptoms of
 hyperandrogenism
 were investigated in a total of 39 women. The observation period was
 12 months. CPA was
 administered according to the Hammerstein regimen: cyproterone acetate
 (CPA) [Androcur]
 100 mg/die 5.-14. day of the cycle; ethinylestradiol (EE) [Progynon
 C]: 40 mg/die 5.-25. day
 of the cycle; Spironolactone (SPL) was given in a dosage of 100 mg/die
 from day 1.-21. of
 the cycle. During the therapy with CPA a significant decrease of total
 testosterone (61%),
 free testosterone (78%), LH (48%) and 17 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone
 (72%) was
 observed; during the medication with spironolacton only a significant
 decrease of 5
 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (81%), which could not be seen during CPA
 use, was observed.
 Serum concentrations of total testosterone, free testosterone, LH and 17
 alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone remained unchanged. DHA and DHAS did not
 change during
 neither medication. Since peripheral androgens were not suppressed by
 SPL the positive
 therapeutical effect of SPL can be explained by the antiandrogenic
 effect at the level of the
 receptor. A disadvantage of spironolacton is the lack of contraceptive
 efficacy. In cases
 where contraindication for oral contraceptives are present SPL can be
 considered as a good
 alternative to CPA. The suppressive effect of CPA/EE on total
 testosterone, LH addition to
 the antivulatory effect makes it the preferable medication for
 hyperandrogenemic patients with
 polycystic changes of the ovaries (PCOD). 
 
 ======================================================================
 39.) The insulin resistance in women with hyperandrogenism is partially
 reversed by antiandrogen treatment: evidence that androgens impair insulin
 action in women. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Moghetti P; Tosi F; Castello R; Magnani CM; Negri C; Brun E; Furlani
 L; Caputo M;
 Muggeo M 
 Address 
 Division of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, University of
 Verona, Italy. 
 Source 
 J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 81(3):952-60 1996 Mar 
 Abstract 
 To assess whether androgen excess per se might impair insulin action,
 insulin sensitivity was
 measured by a two-step (20 and 80 mU/m2.min) hyperinsulinemic
 euglycemic clamp
 combined with indirect calorimetry and tracer glucose infusion in 43
 women (13 obese and
 30 nonobese) with normal glucose tolerance and clinical evidence of
 increased androgen
 action (hirsutism and/or polycystic ovary syndrome) as well as 12 age-
 and body mass
 index-matched healthy controls. Hyperandrogenic women were studied
 basally and after 3-4
 months of antiandrogen treatment with 3 different drugs:
 spironolactone (n = 23), flutamide
 (n = 10), or the GnRH agonist buserelin (n = 10). Six women given
 spironolactone were
 also reexamined after 1 yr of therapy. At baseline, insulin-mediated
 glucose uptake was
 lower in hyperandrogenic women than in controls (by ANOVA, F = 14.3; P
 < 0.001).
 Insulin resistance was observed in both ovarian and nonovarian
 hyperandrogenism, as
 distinguished by acute GnRH agonist testing. After antiandrogen
 therapy, insulin action on
 glucose metabolism significantly increased for both the patients as a
 whole (F = 7.4; P <
 0.01) and each treatment group separately. However, insulin action
 remained lower than in
 controls and showed no further improvement in patients reevaluated
 after I yr of treatment.
 Increases in both oxidative and nonoxidative glucose metabolism
 accounted for the
 improvement in substrate disposal induced by antiandrogen drugs. The
 increase in the
 effectiveness of insulin was greater in the lean subjects, whereas the
 change was small and not
 statistically significant in the obese women. Response to treatment
 was more pronounced in
 women with nonovarian hyperandrogenism, particularly at the low
 insulin infusion rate.
 Endogenous glucose production in hyperandrogenic patients was similar
 to that in healthy
 women and was unaffected by therapy. In conclusion, antiandrogen
 treatment partially
 reversed the peripheral insulin resistance associated with
 hyperandrogenism regardless of
 which antiandrogen was used. These data strongly suggest that in
 women, androgen excess
 per se contributes to impairment of insulin action. 
 ======================================================================
 40.) Topical spironolactone reduces sebum secretion rates in young adults. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Yamamoto A; Ito M 
 Address 
 Department of Dermatology, Niigata University School of Medicine, Japan. 
 Source 
 J Dermatol, 23(4):243-6 1996 Apr 
 Abstract 
 The effects of topically applied spironolactone on the sebum secretion
 rates (SSR) of young
 adults were investigated. SSR was expressed as the ratio of wax
 esters/[cholesterol+cholesterol esters] (WE/[C+CE]) and the amount of
 sebaceous lipids
 (squalene, triacylglycerol and wax esters). Topical spironolactone 5%
 gel applied to the
 right cheeks of the subjects produced a significant reduction in the
 SSR at 12 weeks (4
 weeks after termination of application), but not at 8 weeks (the end
 of treatment). Untreated
 "control" areas (the left cheeks of the subjects) showed no
 significant change during the study.
 None of the subjects experienced skin rash or signs of local
 irritation. This results suggests
 that topical spironolactone may be effective in the treatment of acne
 patients with high SSR.
 
 ======================================================================
 41.) Other antiandrogens. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Schmidt JB 
 Address 
 Department of Dermatology, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria. 
 Source 
 Dermatology, 196(1):153-7 1998 
 Abstract 
 Various substances of steroidal or nonsteroidal structure may serve as
 an alternative for the
 antiandrogenic treatment of acne. Compounds with antiandrogenic
 properties like cimetidine
 or ketoconazole are rarely administered for acne due to their weak
 effects. In contrast,
 spironolactone is an effective antiandrogen that shows good treatment
 effects in hirsutism
 and acne. Side effects occur frequently and are dose dependent.
 Isotretinoin--the most
 effective agent in acne therapy--has been under discussion for
 additional antiandrogenic
 properties for years. At present there is additional evidence for the
 antiandrogenic effects of
 isotretinoin. Regarding substances acting on both levels, androgen
 receptor binding and 5
 alpha-reductase inhibition, the question is raised whether the term
 'antiandrogen' should be
 amplified by including the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors. This would
 pay tribute to the
 biological aspect of antiandrogenicity that takes into account not
 only the mode of action but
 also the effects of the substance. Under this aspect type 1 5
 alpha-reductase inhibitors may
 gain attention in the future. 
 
 ======================================================================
 42.) Mechanism of action and pure antiandrogenic properties of flutamide. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Labrie F 
 Address 
 Medical Research Council Group, Le Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite
 Laval Research
 Center, Laval University, Qu´ebec City, Canada. 
 Source 
 Cancer, 72(12 Suppl):3816-27 1993 Dec 15 
 Abstract 
 Although treatment of intact adult male rats with the pure
 antiandrogen flutamide or a
 luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist alone leads to
 partial inhibition of
 ventral prostate weight, maximal inhibition is achieved by combination
 of the two drugs.
 Potentializing effects of the two compounds were observed even on
 prostatic ornithine
 decarboxylase activity. Because LHRH agonists are widely used to
 achieve medical
 castration in men treated for prostate cancer, it is of interest to
 observe that in the dog,
 known for being the best model for studies of the action of LHRH
 agonists, flutamide does
 not interfere with the potent desensitizing action of the LHRH agonist
 on pituitary LH
 secretion, thus supporting the combined use of flutamide with an LHRH
 agonist for maximal
 androgen blockade without loss of efficiency of the LHRH agonist.
 Because prostate cancer
 is known to show a high degree of heterogeneity of its sensitivity to
 androgens, we analyzed
 the effect of combined antiandrogen therapy on parameters more
 sensitive to androgens
 than ventral prostatic weight itself. In agreement with its pure
 antiandrogenic characteristics,
 flutamide alone has no stimulatory effect on the intraprostatic level
 of mRNA encoding the C1
 or C3 component of prostatic binding protein (PBP), whereas
 cyproterone acetate (CPA),
 megestrol acetate (MEG), and, especially, medroxyprogesterone acetate
 (MPA) markedly
 stimulate PBP-C1 and PBP-C3 mRNA levels, an effect reversed by
 flutamide, thus further
 supporting the intrinsic androgenic activity of all these steroidal
 derivatives. Similar
 androgenic effects of the steroidal derivatives were observed on
 prostatic ornithine
 decarboxylase activity. Androgen-sensitive Shionogi tumor cells were
 then used to assess
 the antiandrogenic/androgenic properties of flutamide and the
 above-indicated steroidal
 derivatives. MPA, MEG, CPA as well as spironolactone-stimulated cell
 proliferation under
 both in vivo and in vitro conditions, thus illustrating the intrinsic
 androgenic activity of all
 these compounds. Flutamide was inactive by itself and reversed the
 stimulatory effect of all
 other compounds, thus indicating its pure antiandrogenic activity.
 Although castration reduces
 intraprostatic dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to undetectable levels in the
 rat and guinea pig, the
 concentration remains at about 50% of the value found in intact men
 after castration, thus
 indicating an important contribution of the adrenals to DHT in the
 human prostate, a finding
 that requires the addition of an antiandrogen to block the action of
 this important amount of
 DHT remaining after castration. 
 
 ======================================================================
 43.) Drospirenone: a novel progestogen with antimineralocorticoid and
 antiandrogenic activity. 
 ======================================================================
 Author 
 Muhn P; Fuhrmann U; Fritzemeier KH; Krattenmacher R; Schillinger E 
 Address 
 Research Laboratories, Berlin, Germany. 
 Source 
 Ann N Y Acad Sci, 761():311-35 1995 Jun 12 
 Abstract 
 Drospirenone (ZK 30595; 6 beta, 7 beta, 15 beta, 16
 beta-dimethylen-3-oxo-17
 alpha-pregn-4-ene-21, 17-carbolactone) is a novel progestogen under
 clinical development.
 Drospirenone is characterized by an innovative pharmacodynamic profile
 which is very
 closely related to that of progesterone. Potential applications
 include oral contraception,
 hormone replacement therapy and treatment of hormonal disorders. The
 pharmacological
 properties of drospirenone were investigated in vitro by receptor
 binding and transactivation
 experiments and in vivo in appropriate animal models. In qualitative
 agreement with
 progesterone, the compound binds strongly to the progesterone and the
 mineralocorticoid
 receptor and with lower affinity to androgen and glucocorticoid
 receptors. There is no
 detectable binding to the estrogen receptor. Steroid hormone agonistic
 and antagonistic
 activities of progesterone and drospirenone were compared in
 transactivation experiments.
 Individual steroid hormone receptors were artificially expressed
 together with a reporter gene
 in appropriate cell lines. Both hormones were unable to induce any
 androgen
 receptor-mediated agonistic activity. Rather, both progesterone and
 drospirenone distinctly
 antagonized androgen-stimulated transcriptional activation. Likewise,
 both compounds only
 very weakly activated the mineralocorticoid receptor but showed potent
 aldosterone
 antagonistic activity. Drospirenone did not induce glucocorticoid
 receptor-driven
 transactivation. Progesterone was a weak agonist in this respect.
 Drospirenone exerts potent
 progestogenic and antigonadotropic activity which was studied in
 various animal species. It
 efficiently promotes the maintenance of pregnancy in ovariectomized
 rats, inhibits ovulation in
 rats and mice and stimulates endometrial transformation in the rabbit.
 Furthermore,
 drospirenone shows potent antigonadotropic, i.e.,
 testosterone-lowering activity in male
 cynomolgus monkeys. The progestogenic potency of drospirenone was
 found to be in the
 range of that of norethisterone acetate. The majority of clinically
 used progestogens are
 androgenic. Drospirenone, like progesterone, has no androgenic but
 rather an antiandrogenic
 effect. This property was demonstrated in castrated, testosterone
 propionate substituted male
 rats by a dose-dependent inhibition of accessory sex organ growth
 (seminal vesicles,
 prostate). In this model, the potency of drospirenone was about a
 third that of cyproterone
 acetate. Drospirenone, like progesterone, shows antimineralocorticoid
 activity, which causes
 moderately increased sodium and water excretion. This is an
 outstanding characteristic which
 has not been described for any other synthetic progestogen before.
 Drospirenone is eight to
 ten times more effective in this respect than spironolactone. The
 natriuretic effect was
 demonstrable for at least three weeks upon daily treatment of rats
 with a dose of 10
 mg/animal. Drospirenone is devoid of any estrogenic, glucocorticoid or
 antiglucocorticoid
 activity. In summary, drospirenone, like progesterone, combines potent
 progestogenic with
 antimineralocorticoid and antiandrogenic activity in a similar dose
 range.
 t=================================================
 44.) Cutaneous Manifestations of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Clinical Study.
 =================================================
 Indian Dermatol Online J. 2017 Mar-Apr;8(2):104-110. doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.202275.
 
 Keen MA1, Shah IH1, Sheikh G1.
 Author information
 
 1
 Department of Dermatology, STD and Leprosy, GMC Srinagar and associated SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
 
 Abstract
 BACKGROUND:
 
 Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women, affecting 5-10% of reproductive-aged women. The dermatologic manifestations of hyperandrogenism, chiefly hirsutism, acne vulgaris, androgenic alopecia, and acanthosis nigricans, are among the cardinal manifestations of PCOS.
 AIM:
 
 To study the incidence and prevalence of various cutaneous manifestations in patients with PCOS and to correlate these skin manifestations with hormonal changes.
 SETTINGS AND DESIGN:
 
 This study was conducted at a dermatology centre over a period of 1 year from November 2012 to 2013.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS:
 
 The present study included 100 women diagnosed to have PCOS. Hormonal analysis as well as radiological assessment was done in all the cases. Cutaneous manifestations were ascertained and inferences were drawn.
 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:
 
 Statistical analysis was carried out by the Chi-square test and independent samples t-test. Statistical significance was determined at a level of P < 0.05.
 RESULTS:
 
 In our study, the prevalence of hirsutism, acne, female pattern hair loss, acanthosis nigricans, seborrhea, striae and acrochordons was 78%, 48%, 31%, 30%, 29%, 13%, and 9%, respectively.
 CONCLUSION:
 
 Dermatologic manifestations of PCOS play a significant role in making the diagnosis and constitute a substantial portion of the symptoms experienced by women with this syndrome.
 ================================================================
 45.) A Retrospective Review of Treatment Results for Patients With Central Centrifugal Cicatrical Alopecia.
 ==================================================
 J Drugs Dermatol. 2017 Apr 1;16(4):317-320.
 
 Eginli A, Dothard E, Bagayoko CW, Huang K, Daniel A, McMichael AJ.
 Abstract
 
 INTRODUCTION: Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) is a form of scarring alopecia primarily affecting women of African descent on the crown of the scalp. Limited data exists regarding evidence-based treatment for CCCA.</p> <p>OBJECTIVE: To examine photos of subjects with CCCA before and after treatment in order to evaluate results of treatment and compare results of different treatment regimens.</p> <p>METHODS: Photographs of 15 subjects with CCCA before and after treatment were evaluated by two blinded investigators who assigned disease severity scores to photographs based on a published scale: Central Scalp Alopecia Photographic Scale in African American Women.</p> <p>RESUTLS: Median change in severity score (post-treatment severity score - pre-treatment severity score) was 0.5 (P = 0.58) for all 15 subjects receiving a series of 7 to 8 intralesional steroid injections along with topical steroids (Class I/II) +/- minoxidil and +/- anti-dandruff shampoo, indicating worsening of disease after treatment. Subjects receiving minoxidil versus those who did not (0.25 vs 0.5; P = 0.38) and subjects receiving anti-dandruff shampoo versus those who did not (0.0 vs 0.5; P = 0.42) demonstrated no statistically significant difference in pre- and post-treatment severity scores. Of 15 subjects, 5/15 (33.3%) had decreased severity scores, 8/15 (53.3%) had increased severity scores, and 2/15 (13.3%) had no change in severity scores.</p> <p>CONCLUSIONS: Although no statistically significant difference was found in pre- versus post-treatment disease severity, this may indicate intralesional steroid injections and topical steroids +/- minoxidil and +/- anti-dandruff shampoo halt disease progression.
 =======================================
 46.) The effectiveness of treatments for androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
 =======================================
 J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017 Apr 7. pii: S0190-9622(17)30306-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2017.02.054. [Epub ahead of print]
 
 Adil A1, Godwin M2.
 Author information
 
 1
 Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland.
 2
 Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland. Electronic address: godwinm@mun.ca.
 
 Abstract
 BACKGROUND:
 
 Androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern hair loss, is a hair loss disorder mediated by dihydrotestosterone, the potent form of testosterone. Currently, minoxidil and finasteride are Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved, and HairMax LaserComb, which is FDA-cleared, are the only treatments recognized by the FDA as treatments of androgenetic alopecia.
 OBJECTIVE:
 
 This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses the efficacy of nonsurgical treatments of androgenetic alopecia in comparison to placebo for improving hair density, thickness, growth (defined by an increased anagen:telogen ratio), or subjective global assessments done by patients and investigators.
 METHODS:
 
 A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were searched up to December 2016, with no lower limit on the year. We included only randomized controlled trials of good or fair quality based on the US Preventive Services Task Force quality assessment process.
 RESULTS:
 
 A meta-analysis was conducted separately for 5 groups of studies that tested the following hair loss treatments: low-level laser light therapy in men, 5% minoxidil in men, 2% minoxidil in men, 1 mg finasteride in men, and 2% minoxidil in women. All treatments were superior to placebo (P < .00001) in the 5 meta-analyses. Other treatments were not included because the appropriate data were lacking.
 LIMITATIONS:
 
 High heterogeneity in most studies.
 CONCLUSIONS:
 
 This meta-analysis strongly suggests that minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser light therapy are effective for promoting hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia and that minoxidil is effective in women with androgenetic alopecia.
 ========================================
 47.) Dutasteride in androgenetic alopecia: An update.
 ========================================
 Curr Clin Pharmacol. 2017 Mar 10. doi: 10.2174/1574884712666170310111125. [Epub ahead of print]
 
 Arif T1, Dorjay K1, Adil M1, Sami M1.
 Author information
 
 1
 Department of Dermatology, STDs and Leprosy, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh, India.
 
 Abstract
 BACKGROUND:
 
 Androgenetic alopecia is a common condition characterized by thinning of scalp hair. Conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, a more potent androgen, by the enzyme 5-a-reductase is responsible for underlying pathogenesis. Dutasteride, a synthetic 4-azasteroid, is a selective and competitive inhibitor of both type-1 and type-2 isoenzymes of 5-alpha-reductase. Finasteride and minoxidil are the only approved drugs for androgenetic alopecia. Dutasteride has been demonstrated to be effective in several randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trials in androgenetic alopecia. In this review, after the pharmacology of dutasteride, the authors have discussed the status of dutasteride in androgenetic alopecia and has compared its efficacy with that of finasteride.
 OBJECTIVE:
 
 This article aims to review the current status of dutasteride in androgenetic alopecia. The structure, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetic and side effects are discussed along with its comparission with finasteride in androgenetic alopecia.
 METHODS:
 
 The main source of our information was Medline Pubmed, Google scholar and Scopus including original articles and review articles. The keywords dutasteride, dutasteride in androgenetic alopecia were used for search.
 CONCLUSION:
 
 Like finasteride, dutasteride is now becoming popular treatment option in AGA, due to its good response shown by various randomized control studies and meta-analysis. Also, in most of these studies dutasteride found to be better than finasteride with comparable adverse effect. Therefore, dutasteride could become a treatment of choice for AGA in near future.
 ========================================
 48.) A randomized, active- and placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of different doses of dutasteride versus placebo and finasteride in the treatment of male subjects with androgenetic alopecia.
 ========================================
 J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Mar;70(3):489-498.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2013.10.049. Epub 2014 Jan 9.
 
 Gubelin Harcha W1, Barboza Martínez J2, Tsai TF3, Katsuoka K4, Kawashima M5, Tsuboi R6, Barnes A7, Ferron-Brady G8, Chetty D9.
 Author information
 
 1
 Centro Médico Skinmed and Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: wgubelin@skinmed.cl.
 2
 Unidad de Investigación, Clínica Internacional, Lima, Peru.
 3
 Department of Dermatology, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
 4
 Department of Dermatology, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan.
 5
 Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
 6
 Department of Dermatology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
 7
 GlaxoSmithKline Research & Development, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
 8
 GlaxoSmithKline Research & Development, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
 9
 GlaxoSmithKline Research & Development, Singapore.
 
 Abstract
 BACKGROUND:
 
 Dihydrotestosterone is the main androgen causative of androgenetic alopecia, a psychologically and physically harmful condition warranting medical treatment.
 OBJECTIVE:
 
 We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of dutasteride (type 1 and 2 5-alpha reductase inhibitor) with finasteride (type 2 5-alpha reductase inhibitor) and placebo in men with androgenetic alopecia.
 METHODS:
 
 Men aged 20 to 50 years with androgenetic alopecia were randomized to receive dutasteride (0.02, 0.1, or 0.5 mg/d), finasteride (1 mg/d), or placebo for 24 weeks. The primary end point was hair count (2.54-cm diameter) at week 24. Other assessments included hair count (1.13-cm diameter) and width, photographic assessments (investigators and panel), change in stage, and health outcomes.
 RESULTS:
 
 In total, 917 men were randomized. Hair count and width increased dose dependently with dutasteride. Dutasteride 0.5 mg significantly increased hair count and width in a 2.54-cm diameter and improved hair growth (frontal view; panel photographic assessment) at week 24 compared with finasteride (P = .003, P = .004, and P = .002, respectively) and placebo (all P < .001). The number and severity of adverse events were similar among treatment groups.
 LIMITATIONS:
 
 The study was limited to 24 weeks.
 CONCLUSIONS:
 
 Dutasteride increased hair growth and restoration in men with androgenetic alopecia and was relatively well tolerated.
 ========================================
 49.) New Treatments for Hair Loss.
 ========================================
 Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2017 Apr;108(3):221-228. doi: 10.1016/j.ad.2016.11.010. Epub 2017 Jan 3.
 
 [Article in English, Spanish]
 Vañó-Galván S1, Camacho F2.
 Author information
 
 1
 Servicio de Dermatología, Unidad de Tricología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, IRYCIS, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, España. Electronic address: drsergiovano@gmail.com.
 2
 Hospital Virgen Macarena, Sevilla, España.
 
 Abstract
 
 The treatment of hair loss is an important part of clinical dermatology given the prevalence of the problem and great impact on patients' quality of life. Many new treatments have been introduced in recent years. This review summarizes the main ones in 4 groups: a) For androgenetic alopecia, we discuss new excipients for oral minoxidil, dutasteride, and finasteride as well as new forms of topical application; prostaglandin agonists and antagonists; low-level laser therapy; and regenerative medicine with Wnt signaling activators and stem cell therapy. b) For alopecia areata, Janus kinase inhibitors are reviewed. c) For frontal fibrosing alopecia, we discuss the use of antiandrogens and, for some patients, pioglitazone. d) Finally, we mention new robotic devices for hair transplant procedures and techniques for optimal follicular unit extraction.
 ========================================
 50.) Efficacy and safety of 5% minoxidil topical foam in male pattern hair loss treatment and patient satisfaction.
 ========================================
 Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat. 2016 Sep;25(3):41-44.
 
 Hasanzadeh H1, Nasrollahi SA1, Halavati N2, Saberi M3, Firooz A1,2.
 Author information
 
 1
 Pharmaceutical, Cosmeceutical, and Hygienic Skin Products Clinical Evaluation Lab (DermaLab), Center for Research & Training in Skin Diseases & Leprosy (CRTSDL), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
 2
 Clinical Trial Center (CTC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
 3
 Community-Based Participatory Research Center, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sci­ences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
 
 Abstract
 INTRODUCTION:
 
 Male pattern hair loss is widespread around the world. Its prevalence indicates the importance of finding the best treatment modalities. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of minoxidil 5% topical foam in male pattern hair loss treatment and patient satisfaction.
 METHODS:
 
 This study was a before-and-after trial on 17 male patients with male pattern hair loss. Subjects were instructed to apply one capful (1 ml) of minoxidil 5% topical foam on the scalp daily for 6 months. Efficacy was assessed through hair counts, subject assessment, and global photographic review.
 RESULTS:
 
 Seventeen male volunteers were recruited, and three volunteers were withdrawn; 14 participated in the trial for 16 weeks, and 12 continued up to 24 weeks. The average hair count with a camera at week 16 (181.87 ± 52.42) and week 24 (194.58 ± 62.82) and with an eye count at week 16 (62.57 ± 15.28) and week 24 (69.91 ± 15.61) increased significantly compared to the baseline after intervention.
 CONCLUSIONS:
 
 This study confirmed that minoxidil 5% topical foam is a safe and effective treatment for MPHL. The effect of it is evident after 24 weeks of use.
 ========================================
 51.) Post-Finasteride Adverse Effects in Male Androgenic Alopecia: A Case Report of Vitiligo.
 ========================================
 Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2017;30(1):42-45. doi: 10.1159/000455972. Epub 2017 Feb 22.
 
 Motofei IG1, Rowland DL, Georgescu SR, Tampa M, Paunica S, Constantin VD, Balalau C, Manea M, Baleanu BC, Sinescu I.
 Author information
 
 1
 Department of Surgery/Dermatology, Carol Davila University, Bucharest, Romania.
 
 Abstract
 
 Finasteride has proved to be relatively safe and effective in the therapeutic management of male androgenic alopecia. However, literature data report several endocrine imbalances inducing various adverse effects, which often persist after treatment cessation in the form of post-finasteride syndrome. Here we present the case of a 52-year-old man receiving finasteride (1 mg/day) who developed an uncommon adverse effect represented by generalized vitiligo 2 months after finasteride discontinuation. Associated adverse effects encountered were represented by mild sexual dysfunction (as determined by the International Index of Erectile Function, IIEF) and moderate depressive symptoms (according to DSM-V criteria), all of these manifestations aggregating within/as a possible post-finasteride syndrome. Further studies should develop and compare several therapeutic approaches, taking into account not only compounds that decrease the circulating dihydrotestosterone level but also those that could block the dihydrotestosterone receptors (if possible, compounds with selective tropism towards the skin). In addition, the possibility of predicting adverse effects of finasteride (according to hand preference and sexual orientation) should be taken into account.
 ========================================
 52.) Adverse Effects and Safety of 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors (Finasteride, Dutasteride): A Systematic Review.
 ========================================
 J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2016 Jul;9(7):56-62. Epub 2016 Jul 1.
 
 Hirshburg JM1, Kelsey PA2, Therrien CA2, Gavino AC1, Reichenberg JS1.
 Author information
 
 1
 Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas;
 2
 University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texa.
 
 Abstract
 
 Finasteride and dutasteride, both 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, are considered first-line treatment for androgenetic hair loss in men and used increasingly in women. In each case, patients are expected to take the medications indefinitely despite the lack of research regarding long-term adverse effects. Concerns regarding the adverse effects of these medications has led the United States National Institutes of Health to add a link for post-finasteride syndrome to its Genetic and Rare Disease Information Center. Herein, the authors report the results of a literature search reviewing adverse events of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors as they relate to prostate cancer, psychological effects, sexual health, and use in women. Several large studies found no increase in incidence of prostate cancer, a possible increase of high-grade cancer when detected, and no change in survival rate with 5-alpha reductase inhibitor use. Currently, there is no direct link between 5-alpha reductase inhibitor use and depression; however, several small studies have led to depression being listed as a side effect on the medication packaging. Sexual effects including erectile dysfunction and decreased libido and ejaculate were reported in as many as 3.4 to 15.8 percent of men. To date, there are very few studies evaluating 5-alpha reductase inhibitor use in women. Risks include birth defects in male fetuses if used in pregnancy, decreased libido, headache, gastrointestinal discomfort, and isolated reports of changes in menstruation, acne, and dizziness. Overall, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors were well-tolerated in both men and women, but not without risk, highlighting the importance of patient education prior to treatment.
 ========================================
 53.) Atypical post-finasteride syndrome: A pharmacological riddle.
 ========================================
 Indian J Pharmacol. 2016 May-Jun;48(3):316-7. doi: 10.4103/0253-7613.182898.
 
 Gupta AK1, Sharma N1, Shukla P1.
 Author information
 
 1
 Department of Pharmacology, Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab, India.
 
 Abstract
 
 Finasteride and dutasteride are commonly used 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. While finasteride is a selective inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase Type II, dutasteride inhibits 5- alpha reductase Type I and II. The United States Food and Drug Administration approved the use of finasteride for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) as well as androgenic alopecia (AGA) while dutasteride is approved only for BPH. Off-label use of dutasteride is not uncommon in AGA as well. Although the postfinasteride syndrome (PFS) is a well-established entity, its symptomatology is quite variable. Here, we describe a case of an atypical PFS in a patient treated with dutasteride and finasteride for AGA. The multisystem involvement and irreversible nature of this case warrant its reporting.
 ========================================
 54.) Emotional Consequences of Finasteride: Fool's Gold.
 ========================================
 Am J Mens Health. 2016 Feb 11. pii: 1557988316631624. [Epub ahead of print]
 
 Ganzer CA1, Jacobs AR2.
 Información del autor
 
 1
 Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, New York, NY, USA cganzer@hunter.cuny.edu.
 2
 Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, New York, NY, USA.
 
 Abstract
 
 Androgenetic alopecia, the gradual, progressive loss of hair frequently results in psychological despair, in part related to changes in self-image. Current androgenetic alopecia treatments are limited to hair transplantation and medications that inhibit dihydrotestosterone, a potent androgen associated with follicular micronization. Users of finasteride, which prevents dihydrotestosterone production, report serious physical and emotional adverse effects, collectively known as post-finasteride syndrome. Psychiatric illnesses and personality traits, specifically neuroticism influence emotional well-being. Limited research exists exploring the psychological corollaries of post-finasteride syndrome and preexisting Axis I and Axis II mental health conditions. The aim of this study was to explore how having a preexisting personal and/or familial history of a psychiatric diagnosis and certain personality traits may influence anxiety and depression among finasteride users. Participants in this online survey completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Ten-Item Personality Inventory. An important finding in this study was that almost 57% (n = 97) of men reported a psychiatric diagnosis and 28% (n = 27) had a first-degree relative with a mental health disorder, of this group 17 only had a family history. Nearly 50% of the men surveyed reported clinically significant depression as evidenced by Beck Depression Inventory score and 34% experienced anxiety on the Beck Anxiety Inventory. There were no statistically significant trends in personality traits reported. Results provide evidence on the need to screen for psychiatric history and counseling patients about the potential psychological consequences of finasteride. Prescribing clinicians should carefully weigh the risk/benefit ratio with these patients.
 ========================================
 55.) The importance of dual 5alpha-reductase inhibition in the treatment of male pattern hair loss: results of a randomized placebo-controlled study of dutasteride versus finasteride.
 ========================================
 J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006 Dec;55(6):1014-23.
 
 Olsen EA1, Hordinsky M, Whiting D, Stough D, Hobbs S, Ellis ML, Wilson T, Rittmaster RS; Dutasteride Alopecia Research Team.
 Author information
 
 1
 Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA. olsen001@mc.duke.edu
 
 Abstract
 BACKGROUND:
 
 Male pattern hair loss (MPHL) is a potentially reversible condition in which dihydrotestosterone is an important etiologic factor.
 OBJECTIVE:
 
 Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the type 1 and 2 5alpha-reductase inhibitor dutasteride in men with MPHL.
 METHODS:
 
 Four hundred sixteen men, 21 to 45 years old, were randomized to receive dutasteride 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 or 2.5 mg, finasteride 5 mg, or placebo daily for 24 weeks.
 RESULTS:
 
 Dutasteride increased target area hair count versus placebo in a dose-dependent fashion and dutasteride 2.5 mg was superior to finasteride at 12 and 24 weeks. Expert panel photographic review and investigator assessment of hair growth confirmed these results. Scalp and serum dihydrotestosterone levels decreased, and testosterone levels increased, in a dose-dependent fashion with dutasteride.
 LIMITATIONS:
 
 The study was limited to 24 weeks.
 CONCLUSION:
 
 Dutasteride increases scalp hair growth in men with MPHL. Type 1 and type 2 5alpha-reductase may be important in the pathogenesis and treatment of MPHL.
 ========================================
 56.) Interventions for female pattern hair loss.
 =======================================
 Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 May 26;(5):CD007628. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007628.pub4.
 
 van Zuuren EJ1, Fedorowicz Z, Schoones J.
 Author information
 
 1
 Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, PO Box 9600, B1-Q, Leiden, Netherlands, 2300 RC.
 
 Abstract
 BACKGROUND:
 
 Female pattern hair loss (FPHL), or androgenic alopecia, is the most common type of hair loss affecting women. It is characterised by progressive shortening of the duration of the growth phase of the hair with successive hair cycles, and progressive follicular miniaturisation with conversion of terminal to vellus hair follicles (terminal hairs are thicker and longer, while vellus hairs are soft, fine, and short). The frontal hair line may or may not be preserved. Hair loss can have a serious psychological impact on women.
 OBJECTIVES:
 
 To determine the efficacy and safety of the available options for the treatment of female pattern hair loss in women.
 SEARCH METHODS:
 
 We updated our searches of the following databases to July 2015: the Cochrane Skin Group Specialised Register, CENTRAL in the Cochrane Library (2015, Issue 6), MEDLINE (from 1946), EMBASE (from 1974), PsycINFO (from 1872), AMED (from 1985), LILACS (from 1982), PubMed (from 1947), and Web of Science (from 1945). We also searched five trial registries and checked the reference lists of included and excluded studies.
 SELECTION CRITERIA:
 
 We included randomised controlled trials that assessed the efficacy of interventions for FPHL in women.
 DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
 
 Two review authors independently assessed trial quality, extracted data and carried out analyses.
 MAIN RESULTS:
 
 We included 47 trials, with 5290 participants, of which 25 trials were new to this update. Only five trials were at 'low risk of bias', 26 were at 'unclear risk', and 16 were at 'high risk of bias'.The included trials evaluated a wide range of interventions, and 17 studies evaluated minoxidil. Pooled data from six studies indicated that a greater proportion of participants (157/593) treated with minoxidil (2% and one study with 1%) reported a moderate to marked increase in their hair regrowth when compared with placebo (77/555) (risk ratio (RR) = 1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51 to 2.47; moderate quality evidence). These results were confirmed by the investigator-rated assessments in seven studies with 1181 participants (RR 2.35, 95% CI 1.68 to 3.28; moderate quality evidence). Only one study reported on quality of life (QoL) (260 participants), albeit inadequately (low quality evidence). There was an important increase of 13.18 in total hair count per cm² in the minoxidil group compared to the placebo group (95% CI 10.92 to 15.44; low quality evidence) in eight studies (1242 participants). There were 40/407 adverse events in the twice daily minoxidil 2% group versus 28/320 in the placebo group (RR 1.24, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.87; low quality evidence). There was also no statistically significant difference in adverse events between any of the individual concentrations against placebo.Four studies (1006 participants) evaluated minoxidil 2% versus 5%. In one study, 25/57 participants in the minoxidil 2% group experienced moderate to greatly increased hair regrowth versus 22/56 in the 5% group (RR 1.12, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.73). In another study, 209 participants experienced no difference based on a visual analogue scale (P = 0.062; low quality evidence). The assessments of the investigators based on three studies (586 participants) were in agreement with these findings (moderate quality evidence). One study assessed QoL (209 participants) and reported limited data (low quality evidence). Four trials (1006 participants) did not show a difference in number of adverse events between the two concentrations (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.91 to 1.20; low quality evidence). Both concentrations did not show a difference in increase in total hair count at end of study in three trials with 631 participants (mean difference (MD) -2.12, 95% CI -5.47 to 1.23; low quality evidence).Three studies investigated finasteride 1 mg compared to placebo. In the finasteride group 30/67 participants experienced improvement compared to 33/70 in the placebo group (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.37; low quality evidence). This was consistent with the investigators' assessments (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.90; low quality evidence). QoL was not assessed. Only one study addressed adverse events (137 participants) (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.45 to 2.34; low quality evidence). In two studies (219 participants) there was no clinically meaningful difference in change of hair count, whilst one study (12 participants) favoured finasteride (low quality evidence).Two studies (141 participants) evaluated low-level laser comb therapy compared to a sham device. According to the participants, the low-level laser comb was not more effective than the sham device (RR 1.54, 95% CI 0.96 to 2.49; and RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.89; moderate quality evidence). However, there was a difference in favour of low-level laser comb for change from baseline in hair count (MD 17.40, 95% CI 9.74 to 25.06; and MD 17.60, 95% CI 11.97 to 23.23; low quality evidence). These studies did not assess QoL and did not report adverse events per treatment arm and only in a generic way (low quality evidence). Low-level laser therapy against sham comparisons in two separate studies also showed an increase in total hair count but with limited further data.Single studies addressed the other comparisons and provided limited evidence of either the efficacy or safety of these interventions, or were unlikely to be examined in future trials.
 AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:
 
 Although there was a predominance of included studies at unclear to high risk of bias, there was evidence to support the efficacy and safety of topical minoxidil in the treatment of FPHL (mainly moderate to low quality evidence). Furthermore, there was no difference in effect between the minoxidil 2% and 5% with the quality of evidence rated moderate to low for most outcomes. Finasteride was no more effective than placebo (low quality evidence). There were inconsistent results in the studies that evaluated laser devices (moderate to low quality evidence), but there was an improvement in total hair count measured from baseline.Further randomised controlled trials of other widely-used treatments, such as spironolactone, finasteride (different dosages), dutasteride, cyproterone acetate, and laser-based therapy are needed.
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 57.) Antiandrogenic Therapy with Ciproterone Acetate in Female Patients Who Suffer from Both Androgenetic Alopecia and Acne Vulgaris.
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 Clujul Med. 2014;87(4):226-34. doi: 10.15386/cjmed-386. Epub 2014 Nov 12.
 
 Coneac A1, Muresan A2, Orasan MS3.
 Author information
 
 1
 Department of Histology, Morphological Sciences Division, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
 2
 Department of Physiology, Physiological Sciences Division, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
 3
 Department of Pathophysiology, Physiological Sciences Division, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
 
 Abstract
 BACKGROUND:
 
 Androgenetic Alopecia in Women (AGA) occurs due to an underlying susceptibility of hair follicles to androgenic miniaturization, caused by androgens. Clinically, AGA is characterized by progressive hair loss, with a marked hair thinning in the fronto-parietal area so that the scalp can be easily seen. Acne vulgaris is androgen-dependent and often affects the skin that has an increased number of oil glands: face, back and chest. Although the sebaceous glands are present on the scalp too, it is very rare to get acne at this site, as the hair acts as a wig and allows the sebum to drain and does not block the pores. Both AGA and Acne Vulgaris are signs of hyperandrogenism. Cyproterone acetate/ethinyl estradiol (2mg/0.035mg) products are authorized for the treatment of androgenetic symptoms in women, such as acne, seborrhea, mild forms of hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia. Our study had a double purpose: - To evaluate the result of the study regimen Melleva 35 (one pill per day, for 3 consecutive months) in patients with moderate to severe acne, suffering also from Androgenetic Alopecia;- To establish the efficacy of the drug on acne and alopecia improvement, both from the doctor's and patient's point of view.
 PATIENTS AND METHODS:
 
 After being informed of the aims and procedures of the study, participants provided a written informed consent. A number of 35 female subjects with moderate to severe acne vulgaris remained in the study. The subjects had also been diagnosed as suffering from AGA, on the basis of clinical criteria, including the pattern of hair loss and trichoscopy assessment.
 RESULTS:
 
 83% of study subjects reported that their hair did not continue to fall after 3 months of antiandrogen therapy. The females were evaluated using trichoscopy and the doctor noticed hair regrowth in 77% of the cases. Regarding the improvement of acne lesions after the treatment, 40% of study subjects recorded good improvement and 26% recorded excellent results with Melleva 35. The acceptance of the treatment was very high, 86% patients were compliant with the study therapy. The rate of adverse events (5 cases) was within the limits of the treatment tested by the study. Almost a third of the total number of subjects (28.5%) reached a good satisfaction level after the treatment, while 37.1% claimed moderate satisfaction.
 CONCLUSION:
 
 There was no correlation between the age of the subjects and the treatment for acne therefore our first hypothesis was rejected. As a conclusion, antiandrogenic therapy with Melleva 35, 1 pill per day, for 3 consecutive months, shows good results for patients who suffer from both Androgenetic Alopecia and Acne Vulgaris.
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 58.) Treatment of female pattern hair loss.
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 Skinmed. 2012 Jul-Aug;10(4):218-27.
 Hassani M1, Gorouhi F, Babakoohi S, Moghadam-Kia S, Firooz A.
 Author information
 
 1
 Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
 
 Abstract
 
 Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) as a distinctive entity was first described about 30 years ago. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of all randomized controlled trials for treatment of FPHL. A preliminary search was carried out in several databases up to August 2008 to identify all randomized controlled trials on nonsurgical interventions for treatment of FPHL. Studies reporting fewer than 10 patients and non-English articles were excluded. Additionally, references of relevant articles and reviews were checked manually in search for additional sources. Among 238 citations found in the preliminary search, 12 fulfilled all criteria to be included in the systematic review. Topical minoxidil 1% to 5% for 24 to 48 weeks was shown to be effective in FPHL and its effect was not related to age or androgen level of patients. In addition, it may be effective in women with FPHL, both with and without hyperandrogenism, and in young and old premenopausal or postmenopausal. In patients with increased serum androgens, oral flutamide but not finasteride or cyproterone acetate was more effective than no treatment. Topical minoxidil is effective in patients with FPHL, with or without hyperandrogenism, but there is limited evidence for the efficacy of antiandrogens.
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 59.) [Spironolactone in dermatological treatment. On and off label indications].
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 [Article in German]
 Salavastru CM1, Fritz K, Tiplica GS.
 Author information
 
 1
 2nd Clinic of Dermatology, "Colentina" Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, galati1968@yahoo.com.
 
 Abstract
 
 There are no currently FDA/EMEA-approved dermatologic indications for spironolactone and its off-label uses are, among others, female acne, female pattern hair loss, hidradenitis suppurativa or hirsutism. The rationale behind these relays on the mechanism of action of spironolactone which interferes with the hormone-controlled sebum and sweat gland secretion and with androgen stimulated hair growth. The average dose used by the dermatologits is 50-100 mg daily. It should not be used in pregnant and lactating women and it is not used in men due to the risk of feminization. Although further studies to assess its efficacy and safety are necessary, currently spironolactone is regarded as a useful tool in the dermatologic treatment armamentarium.
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 60.) Treatment of male androgenetic alopecia with topical products containing Serenoa repens extract.
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 Wessagowit V1, Tangjaturonrusamee C2, Kootiratrakarn T1, Bunnag T1, Pimonrat T3, Muangdang N3, Pichai P3.
 Author information
 
 1
 Molecular Genetics Unit, Institute of Dermatology, Bangkok, Thailand.
 2
 Hair & Nail Unit, Institute of Dermatology, Bangkok, Thailand.
 3
 Research Unit, Institute of Dermatology, Bangkok, Thailand.
 
 Abstract
 BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:
 
 Male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common hair problem. Serenoa repens extract has been shown to inhibit both types of 5-α reductase and, when taken orally, has been shown to increase hair growth in AGA patients. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of topical products containing S. repens extract for the treatment of male AGA.
 METHODS:
 
 This was a pilot, prospective, open, within-subject comparison limited to 24 weeks using no placebo controls. In all, 50 male volunteers aged between 20 and 50 years received topical S. repens products for 24 weeks. The primary end-point was a hair count in an area of 2.54 cm(2) at week 24. Secondary end-points included hair restoration, investigators' photographic assessment, patients' evaluation and discovering adverse events.
 RESULTS:
 
 The average hair count and terminal hair count increased at weeks 12 and 24 compared to baseline. Some of these positive results levelled off at week 24, presumably because the concentrated topical product containing S. repens extract was stopped after 4 weeks. The patients were satisfied with the products and the side-effects were limited.
 CONCLUSIONS:
 
 The topical application of S. repens extract could be an alternative treatment in male pattern baldness in male patients who do not want or cannot tolerate the side-effects of standard medications, but the use of a concentrated S. repens product beyond 4 weeks may be necessary for sustained efficacy.
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 61.) Comparitive effectiveness of finasteride vs Serenoa repens in male androgenetic alopecia: a two-year study.
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 Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2012 Oct-Dec;25(4):1167-73.
 
 Rossi A, Mari E, Scarno M, Garelli V, Maxia C, Scali E, Iorio A, Carlesimo M.
 Abstract
 
 The objective of this open label study is to determine the effectiveness of Serenoa repens in treating male androgenetic alopecia (AGA), by comparing its results with finasteride. For this purpose, we enrolled 100 male patients with clinically diagnosed mild to moderate AGA. One group received Serenoa repens 320 mg every day for 24 months, while the other received finasteride 1 mg every day for the same period. In order to assess the efficacy of the treatments, a score index based on the comparison of the global photos taken at the beginning (T0) and at the end (T24) of the treatment, was used. The results showed that only 38&#x0025; of patients treated with Serenoa repens had an increase in hair growth, while 68&#x0025; of those treated with finasteride noted an improvement. Moreover finasteride was more effective for more than half of the patients (33 of 50, i.e. 66&#x0025;), with level II and III alopecia. We can summarize our results by observing that Serenoa repens could lead to an improvement of androgenetic alopecia, while finasteride confirmed its efficacy. We also clinically observed, that finasteride acts in both the front area and the vertex, while Serenoa repens prevalently in the vertex. Obviously other studies will be necessary to clarify the mechanisms that cause the different responses of these two treatments.

 
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