title: Content of 5-alpha-reductase (type 1 and type 2) mRNA in dermal papillae from the lower abdominal region in women with hirsutism.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Androgens influence the growth of terminal hair. The dermal papilla contains androgen receptors and the enzymes 5-alpha-reductase types 1 and 2. Both of these enzymes convert testosterone to the more active androgen, 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone. The male distribution pattern of terminal hair in females is termed hirsutism. It is most common among women with hyperandrogenism; however, it may also affect patients with normal androgen levels (idiopathic hirsutism).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the expression of 5-alpha-reductase types 1 and 2 mRNA in dermal papillae from the lower abdominal skin in women with hirsutism.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 42 subjects, 24 with a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 18 with idiopathic hirsutism (IH). In all patients, free serum testosterone was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean +/- SD concentration of free serum testosterone was 7.2 +/-5.3 pmol/L in the total group of patients, 10.8 +/- 4.0 pmol/L in patients with PCOS, and 2.5 +/- 1.7 pmol/L in patients with IH. Quantitative analysis was then performed for the mRNA of 5-alpha-reductase types 1 and 2, both of which were found within the dermal papillae from the lower abdominal skin region. The number of mRNA copies/microg of total RNA for 5-alpha-reductase type 1 was statistically significantly higher than that for type 2 in both groups of examined patients. We also demonstrated a positive correlation between the number of mRNA copies/microg of total RNA for 5-alpha-reductase types 1 and 2 and the concentration of free serum testosterone in women with PCOS and IH. Considering all patients together, we found a positive correlation between the number of mRNA copies/microg of total RNA for 5-alpha-reductase type 2 and the concentration of free serum testosterone. There was also a tendency towards a positive correlation between the number of mRNA copies/microg of total RNA for 5-alpha-reductase type 1 and the concentration of free serum testosterone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our study suggest that testosterone increases expression of 5-alpha-reductase types 1 and 2 in dermal papillae from the lower abdominal region in patients with hirsutism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. pskalba@slam.katowice.pl
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Skałba
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dabkowska-Huć
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kazimierczak
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samojedny
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Samojedny
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chełmicki
mesh_terms: D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis*; D034861:Abdominal Wall; D000328:Adult; D020405:Dermis / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000201:enzymology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013739:Testosterone; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase