Effect of Oral Finasteride on Serum Androgen Levels and Androgenetic Alopecia in Adult Men
Journal of Pan-Arab League of Dermatologists
Vol. 18, No. 2, June 2007 Page 37- 47
Effect of Oral Finasteride on Serum Androgen Levels and Androgenetic Alopecia in Adult Men
Bayoumy Ibrahim Abd-El Hameed Eassa
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Al-Hussein University Hospital, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
Abstract
Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is caused by androgen dependent miniaturization of scalp hair follicle. Di-hidro-testosterone (DHT) is the specific androgen implicated in the patho-physiology of the androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride is the specific inhibitor of type- II 5- α reductase enzyme, may be induce changes in the serum androgen levels, and has effective treatment for AGA.
Objective: Our study is to evaluate the effects of oral finasteride in serum androgen levels changes and androgenetic alopecia in adult men.
Methods: Thirty male patients with AGA were given oral finasteride 1mg/day or placebo for 9 months. Efficacy was evaluated by laboratory investigations, review of photographs and patient assessments before and after treatment.
Results: Oral finasteride in dose of 1mg/day for 9months improved the scalp hair growth by all types of evaluation. Serum level of free testosterone (FT) and DHT were decreased significally, where total testosterone (TT) was increased, with no changes in other hormonal profiles in treated patients with finasteride.
While no any androgens or hormonal changes in placebo treated patients.
Conclusion: Oral finasteride in dose of 1mg/day is effective therapy for treatment of AGA and was associated with androgen serum level changes. Due to the effect of finasteride on type- II 5 -α reductase enzyme and we recommend it with safety profile in treatment of AGA in men with minimal side effects, which disappeared
completely after cessation of the drug.
Journal of Pan-Arab League of Dermatologists
Vol. 18, No. 2, June 2007 Page 37- 47
Effect of Oral Finasteride on Serum Androgen Levels and Androgenetic Alopecia in Adult Men
Bayoumy Ibrahim Abd-El Hameed Eassa
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Al-Hussein University Hospital, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
Abstract
Background: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is caused by androgen dependent miniaturization of scalp hair follicle. Di-hidro-testosterone (DHT) is the specific androgen implicated in the patho-physiology of the androgenetic alopecia. Finasteride is the specific inhibitor of type- II 5- α reductase enzyme, may be induce changes in the serum androgen levels, and has effective treatment for AGA.
Objective: Our study is to evaluate the effects of oral finasteride in serum androgen levels changes and androgenetic alopecia in adult men.
Methods: Thirty male patients with AGA were given oral finasteride 1mg/day or placebo for 9 months. Efficacy was evaluated by laboratory investigations, review of photographs and patient assessments before and after treatment.
Results: Oral finasteride in dose of 1mg/day for 9months improved the scalp hair growth by all types of evaluation. Serum level of free testosterone (FT) and DHT were decreased significally, where total testosterone (TT) was increased, with no changes in other hormonal profiles in treated patients with finasteride.
While no any androgens or hormonal changes in placebo treated patients.
Conclusion: Oral finasteride in dose of 1mg/day is effective therapy for treatment of AGA and was associated with androgen serum level changes. Due to the effect of finasteride on type- II 5 -α reductase enzyme and we recommend it with safety profile in treatment of AGA in men with minimal side effects, which disappeared
completely after cessation of the drug.