Dihydrotestosterone: Main responsible for hair loss
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a biologically active metabolite of the hormone testosterone, the primary structure which is formed in the prostate, testicles, in hair follicles and adrenal glands. Dihydrotestosterone is classified within the androgen compounds; reason is also called androgenic hormones or testoide. Androgen dependent and are part of an individual's gender because they control the development and maintenance of male characteristics. In fact, DHT is three times more potent than testosterone, the testosterone is 5 to 10 times more potent than the adrenal androgens.
In man, DHT is the main factor for the appearance of baldness and only one of many causes of hair loss in women (female pattern baldness since the pattern is much more complex). High levels of DHT can cause the development of male sexual characteristics in women, and a deepening of the voice or the presence of facial hair. Another important role of this biomolecule is in the development or exacerbation of benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, and prostate cancer through the expansion of this gland.
Although no exact idea of its performance, some theories suggest that the combination of DHT and other hormones abnormalities (such as increased estrogen) may be one of the factors causing the onset of these diseases. On the contrary, there are those who indicated DHT injections to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy. The clinical application of the latter theory is described in U.S. patent 5648350 for use in androgen dihydrotestosterone. However, it is necessary to conduct more studies to understand the role of DHT on the prostate. DHT is also known for his role in the development of some cases of acne.
