DHT mechanism information...

[CCS]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testosterone

So the testes and a few other glands make testosterone, which then travels through the blood to everywhere else, and once inside the cells meets AR5, where some of it is turned to DHT. It acts on androgen receptors to build tissue, affect immune system and other fuction. DHT has 2.5 times the potency of testosterone, so for every DHT you prevent, you have an extra testosterone. Dutasteride and finasteride, which look similar to testosterone, hitch a ride on plasma proteins with testosterone and go to the cells.

I don't know where testosterone is metabolised or how much DHT escapes cells to enter others far away. Also, if dutasteride does not let go of AR5 type II, then how does it get metabolized unless the AR5 can get out of the cell to go to the liver? Can AR5 leak out of cells? How much?

Also, androgens normally help hair growth. It is only in some people over a certain age that androgens seem to inhibit hair growth. Could the ideal level of follicle androgen reception be non-zero, like maybe 25%?

 

[Bryan]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testosterone

They refer to 5a-reductase as being a "cytoplasmic enzyme", but I believe that's an error. Everything else I've read says that it's bound to certain membranes inside the cell.

I don't know where testosterone is metabolised or how much DHT escapes cells to enter others far away. Also, if dutasteride does not let go of AR5 type II, then how does it get metabolized unless the AR5 can get out of the cell to go to the liver?

finasteride doesn't let go of it, either. I believe the enzyme/inhibitor complex is simple broken-down and eliminated eventually, along with other cellular debris.

Can AR5 leak out of cells?

Nope. Not at all.

Also, androgens normally help hair growth. It is only in some people over a certain age that androgens seem to inhibit hair growth. Could the ideal level of follicle androgen reception be non-zero, like maybe 25%?

I'm going to assume that you're referring to scalp hair. Even though they contain androgen receptors, scalp hair follicles have no need whatsoever for androgens. Scalp hair grows luxuriantly in the TOTAL ABSENCE of androgens.

Bryan