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21. Conflicting studies on DHT and hair loss :: Posted Thursday, May 24, 2001 by admin ::
Studies on DHT and hair loss are conflicting but the general conclusion is that DHT is a key player in hair loss but other factors influence the final outcome. It does appear that hair follicles in balding individuals are more sensitive to inhibition by DHT.
The first link of hair loss to testosterone metabolism was the very ancient observation that men who were castrated at a young age did not develop pattern baldness. Modern research has confirmed this but such men can develop baldness if they receive supplemental testosterone.
Individuals born with a deficiency of 5-alpha reductase suffer neither scalp hair loss nor prostate hyperplasia. The deficiency reduces levels of DHT and spares sensitive hair follicles. (Imperato-McGinley J et al Science 1974; 186:1213-5) reported that adult males with congenital 5 alpha-reductase deficiency had decreased levels of dehydrotestosterone (DHT). These individuals had a small prostate gland throughout life and did not develop BPH. They also did not develop male pattern baldness or acne.
On the other hand, the genes controlling 5-alpha reductase activity and DHT production are not the only factor involved in balding. In a study of 828 healthy families comprising 3000 individuals, both young, bald individuals as well as older, non-bald individuals were compared for the genes controlling DHT production. It was found that the genes that controlling DHT production in men are not the cause of male pattern baldness. This study shows that there is no overproduction of DHT, or if there is it is not caused by the genes that control DHT production (5-alpha reductase activity).
Another interesting finding of this study was that baldness did not follow a simple genetic inheritance pattern which suggests that multiple genes and or environmental factors control hair loss. (Genetic analysis of male pattern baldness and the 5-alpha-reductase genes, Ellis JA; Stebbing M; Harrap SB, J Invest Dermatol, 110(6):849-53 1998)
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