Urinary steroids in women with androgenic alopecia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the nature of the hormonal overproduction in androgenic alopecia.


METHODS
Urinary steroid metabolites were measured after enzyme hydrolysis and methoxym-silyl derivatization by capillary gas chromatography in 56 women with androgenic alopecia and in 17 control healthy laboratory women workers.


RESULTS
Elevated C19 metabolites of testosterone and androstendione, hyperandrogenemia (p < 0.01), and increased cortisol (p < 0.01) and corticosterone metabolite, aTHB (p < 0.01) were found in patients with androgenic alopecia compared to normal control. Normal 11beta-hydroxylase activity and increased 5alpha-reductase activity were experienced.


CONCLUSIONS
We propose that in addition to the increased excretion of almost all steroid metabolites, the enhanced activity of 5alpha-reductase is the primary defect in the majority of androgenic alopecia.
Juricskay
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Central Research Laboratory, Medical University of Pécs, Honvéd u. 1. H-7643, Pécs, Hungary. Jzsuzsa@main.pote.hu
Telegdy
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D000328:Adult; D000505:Alopecia / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000652:urine; D012016:Reference Values; D013256:Steroids / Q000652:urine*
D000728:Androgens; D013256:Steroids; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D006854:Hydrocortisone