michael barry
Senior Member
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Journal of Investigative Dermatology (1988) 91, 101–105; doi:10.1111/1523-1747.ep12463393
5-3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Activity in Sebaceous Glands of Scalp in Male-Pattern Baldness
Marty E Sawaya, Lawrence S Honig, Larry D Garland and S L Hsia
Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
Received 17 February 1987; Accepted 1 December 1987.
Top of pageAbstract
Sebaceous glands were isolated by manual dissection using a stereomicroscope from skin specimens of bald scalp of men with male-pattern baldness undergoing hair transplant or scalp reduction surgery and also from specimens taken from hairy and bald areas of scalp at autopsy of adult male victims of accidental death within 3 h post mortem. Homogenates of the isolated glands exhibited activities of 5-3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3HSD), 17-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and testosterone 5-reductase by the conversion of [3H]dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) to 3H-4-androstenedione (AD), [3H]testosterone, and [3H]dihydrotestosterone. Homogenates of glands from bald (B) scalp had greater 3HSD activity than homogenates of glands from hairy (H) scalp. After differential centrifugation, 3HSD activity was found mainly in the microsomal and 105,000 g supernatant fractions. Specific activity of the enzyme based on protein mass was highest in the microsomal fraction; however, the total 3HSD activity in the 105,000 g supernatent of Bald glands was significantly (p < .01) greater than that of Hairy glands. 3HSD activity in sebaceous glands isolated from autopsy specimens did not differ from that of glands isolated from surgical specimens in apparent Km(0.13- 0.14 M), pH optima (8.0), or coenzyme requirement for NAD. Since substantial 3HSD activity was present in the cytosol, and cytosol of Bald glands showed increased 3HSD activity, the increased conversion of DHA to Androstenidione may be a critical step for androgenic action and may be responsible for excessive androgenicity in male-pattern baldness.
Note....................I just posted that 3-beta HSD is apparently at least somewhat inhibited by mentha piperta (peppermint).
I find it also very interesting to note that people born with 3 beta HSD deficiency or 17 beta HSD deficiency also often suffer from pseudohermaphrodism (just like people born with alpha five reductase type two deficiency). http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/920621-overview
(and for the 17 beta HSD deficiency and pseudohermaphrodism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17-beta-hy ... deficiency)
Note: Ive read that alpha five reductase has two "co-factors" in its creation. 17 beta HSD and NADPH. Its been claimed that certain zinc-molecules (sulfites I think, but dont hold me to that) and coal tar can inhibit NADPH, and thus in an indirect way inhibit alpha five reductase. However NADPH is apparently helpful for cellular energy or metabolism or some such.......so one's hair might not grow as fast or the individual hairs might not be quite as robust if it was completely inhibited (interestingly the pyrithione zinc shampoo study showed about a 10% increase in anagen hairs, but something like a 2% decrease in hair diameter...........but a bit MORE sebum*, which is mystifying).
*irritants have been shown to increase sebum, so that might be a reason. Perhaps you sebacous glands find pyrithione zinc "irritating" ----LOL.
Anyway................there is a dog study with an ingredient that supposedly inhibits 3 beta HSD, called trilostane (http://ajpregu.physiology.org/cgi/conte ... 288/2/R389),
and it apparently can regrow hair on dogs that have lost their hair:
Case Report
The Use of Trilostane for the Treatment of Alopecia X in Alaskan Malamutes
F. Leone, DVM, R. Cerundolo, DVM, Diplomate ECVD, A. Vercelli, DVM and D.H. Lloyd, BVetMed, PhD, Diplomate ECVD
From the Clinica Veterinaria Adriatica (Leone), Senigallia, SS Adriatica Nord 50/1-2, 60019 Senigallia, Italy; The Department of Clinical Studies (Cerundolo), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6010; Ambulatorio Veterinario Associato (Vercelli), Corso Traiano 99d, 10135 Torino, Italy; and the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (Lloyd), Royal Veterinary College, University of London, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7TA, England.
Address all correspondence to Dr. Cerundolo.
Three Alaskan malamutes with hair loss and slightly elevated blood concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone after stimulation with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were treated with trilostane. Trilostane, an inhibitor of 3 ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, was given twice daily at a dose of 3.0 to 3.6 mg/kg per day orally for 4 to 6 months. Routine ACTH stimulation tests were performed over 8 months to evaluate the degree of adrenal function suppression. Treatment with trilostane led to complete hair regrowth in all three dogs within 6 months. No adverse effects associated with trilostane were recognized.
Note: I found some trilostane dog shampoos.
The morale of this story................its better to be a dog with alopecia than a human with alopecia. LOL
5-3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Activity in Sebaceous Glands of Scalp in Male-Pattern Baldness
Marty E Sawaya, Lawrence S Honig, Larry D Garland and S L Hsia
Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
Received 17 February 1987; Accepted 1 December 1987.
Top of pageAbstract
Sebaceous glands were isolated by manual dissection using a stereomicroscope from skin specimens of bald scalp of men with male-pattern baldness undergoing hair transplant or scalp reduction surgery and also from specimens taken from hairy and bald areas of scalp at autopsy of adult male victims of accidental death within 3 h post mortem. Homogenates of the isolated glands exhibited activities of 5-3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3HSD), 17-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and testosterone 5-reductase by the conversion of [3H]dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA) to 3H-4-androstenedione (AD), [3H]testosterone, and [3H]dihydrotestosterone. Homogenates of glands from bald (B) scalp had greater 3HSD activity than homogenates of glands from hairy (H) scalp. After differential centrifugation, 3HSD activity was found mainly in the microsomal and 105,000 g supernatant fractions. Specific activity of the enzyme based on protein mass was highest in the microsomal fraction; however, the total 3HSD activity in the 105,000 g supernatent of Bald glands was significantly (p < .01) greater than that of Hairy glands. 3HSD activity in sebaceous glands isolated from autopsy specimens did not differ from that of glands isolated from surgical specimens in apparent Km(0.13- 0.14 M), pH optima (8.0), or coenzyme requirement for NAD. Since substantial 3HSD activity was present in the cytosol, and cytosol of Bald glands showed increased 3HSD activity, the increased conversion of DHA to Androstenidione may be a critical step for androgenic action and may be responsible for excessive androgenicity in male-pattern baldness.
Note....................I just posted that 3-beta HSD is apparently at least somewhat inhibited by mentha piperta (peppermint).
I find it also very interesting to note that people born with 3 beta HSD deficiency or 17 beta HSD deficiency also often suffer from pseudohermaphrodism (just like people born with alpha five reductase type two deficiency). http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/920621-overview
(and for the 17 beta HSD deficiency and pseudohermaphrodism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17-beta-hy ... deficiency)
Note: Ive read that alpha five reductase has two "co-factors" in its creation. 17 beta HSD and NADPH. Its been claimed that certain zinc-molecules (sulfites I think, but dont hold me to that) and coal tar can inhibit NADPH, and thus in an indirect way inhibit alpha five reductase. However NADPH is apparently helpful for cellular energy or metabolism or some such.......so one's hair might not grow as fast or the individual hairs might not be quite as robust if it was completely inhibited (interestingly the pyrithione zinc shampoo study showed about a 10% increase in anagen hairs, but something like a 2% decrease in hair diameter...........but a bit MORE sebum*, which is mystifying).
*irritants have been shown to increase sebum, so that might be a reason. Perhaps you sebacous glands find pyrithione zinc "irritating" ----LOL.
Anyway................there is a dog study with an ingredient that supposedly inhibits 3 beta HSD, called trilostane (http://ajpregu.physiology.org/cgi/conte ... 288/2/R389),
and it apparently can regrow hair on dogs that have lost their hair:
Case Report
The Use of Trilostane for the Treatment of Alopecia X in Alaskan Malamutes
F. Leone, DVM, R. Cerundolo, DVM, Diplomate ECVD, A. Vercelli, DVM and D.H. Lloyd, BVetMed, PhD, Diplomate ECVD
From the Clinica Veterinaria Adriatica (Leone), Senigallia, SS Adriatica Nord 50/1-2, 60019 Senigallia, Italy; The Department of Clinical Studies (Cerundolo), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6010; Ambulatorio Veterinario Associato (Vercelli), Corso Traiano 99d, 10135 Torino, Italy; and the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (Lloyd), Royal Veterinary College, University of London, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts, AL9 7TA, England.
Address all correspondence to Dr. Cerundolo.
Three Alaskan malamutes with hair loss and slightly elevated blood concentrations of 17-hydroxyprogesterone after stimulation with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were treated with trilostane. Trilostane, an inhibitor of 3 ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, was given twice daily at a dose of 3.0 to 3.6 mg/kg per day orally for 4 to 6 months. Routine ACTH stimulation tests were performed over 8 months to evaluate the degree of adrenal function suppression. Treatment with trilostane led to complete hair regrowth in all three dogs within 6 months. No adverse effects associated with trilostane were recognized.
Note: I found some trilostane dog shampoos.
The morale of this story................its better to be a dog with alopecia than a human with alopecia. LOL