Hairloss Study Abstract: The effects of finasteride (Proscar) on hair growth, hair cycle stage, and serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in adult male and female stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides).

Title

The effects of finasteride (Proscar) on hair growth, hair cycle stage, and serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in adult male and female stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides).

Author

Rhodes L, Harper J, Uno H, Gaito G, Audette-Arruda J, Kurata S, Berman C, Primka R, Pikounis B

Address

Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, New Jersey 07065-0900.

Source

J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 79: 4, 1994 Oct, 991-6

Abstract

Finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, was administered orally (1 mg/kg.day) for 6 months to six male and five female stumptail macaques. Vehicle was given to five male and five female animals over the same period of time. Hair weights in a defined 1-in.2 area of frontal scalp were measured periodically every 1-2 months, and serum was collected for measurement of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. In addition, scalp biopsies were taken before and 6 months after treatment to evaluate the micromorphometry of hair follicles. Results showed that both male and female serum dihydrotestosterone levels were significantly reduced (60-70%) by finasteride treatment. Both males and females showed statistically significant increases in mean hair weight over the treatment period compared to controls (P = 0.034). In addition, there was a statistically significant increase in mean follicle length (measured histologically in scalp biopsies) compared to baseline in the finasteride-treated animals (P = 0.028). These data show that an inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase in the stumptail macaque can reverse the balding seen with age in both the male and female animals.

Language of Publication

English

Unique Identifier

95051280