Med Hypotheses. 2004 Mar;62(3):438-41. Related Articles, Links
Caleb Santiago Hernandez BA.
College of Osteopathic Medicine, The University of Health Sciences,
1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA.
Androgenic alopecia is a condition of concern for many patients.
Though much has been learned about this condition, the exact
pathophysiological mechanism is yet to be established. Currently most
study concerning androgenic alopecia has focused on the effects of
androgens on the pilosebaceous unit itself. An area of study that has
received considerably less attention is that of androgens inducing
baldness by indirect effects, that is, effects on tissues other than the
pilosebaceous unit. In this paper, the author offers a novel hypothesis
in which androgenic hair loss is mediated via the effects of androgens
on the vasculature supplying the scalp. In this new hypothesis androgens
effect anatomical changes in the vasculature of susceptible individuals,
resulting in an environment in which hair growth is hindered and
eventually ceases. The author discusses past studies demonstrating the
effects of androgens on vessels and how these effects may relate to
anatomical changes in the vasculature leading to hair loss. Also
included is a discussion on future experimentation to test this new
hypothesis.
PMID: 14975518 [PubMed - in process]
[tp][cp]
Caleb Santiago Hernandez BA.
College of Osteopathic Medicine, The University of Health Sciences,
1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA.
Androgenic alopecia is a condition of concern for many patients.
Though much has been learned about this condition, the exact
pathophysiological mechanism is yet to be established. Currently most
study concerning androgenic alopecia has focused on the effects of
androgens on the pilosebaceous unit itself. An area of study that has
received considerably less attention is that of androgens inducing
baldness by indirect effects, that is, effects on tissues other than the
pilosebaceous unit. In this paper, the author offers a novel hypothesis
in which androgenic hair loss is mediated via the effects of androgens
on the vasculature supplying the scalp. In this new hypothesis androgens
effect anatomical changes in the vasculature of susceptible individuals,
resulting in an environment in which hair growth is hindered and
eventually ceases. The author discusses past studies demonstrating the
effects of androgens on vessels and how these effects may relate to
anatomical changes in the vasculature leading to hair loss. Also
included is a discussion on future experimentation to test this new
hypothesis.
PMID: 14975518 [PubMed - in process]
[tp][cp]