How much does finasteride lower allopregnanolone?

The dose of finasteride was selected from previous studies demonstrating its ability to maximally inhibit the biosynthesis of allopregnanolone [37,38]. In mice treated with P, allopregnanolone levels were reduced by 95% after finasteride treatment [37].

What is allopregnanolone used for?

As a medication, allopregnanolone is referred to as brexanolone, sold under the brand name Zulresso, and used to treat postpartum depression. It is used by injection into a vein over a 60-hour period under medical supervision.

Does finasteride cause feminization?

Finasteride causes certain male individuals to show symptoms of demasculinization and feminization after exposure. Androgens produce masculinization and estradiol (E2) and progestogens, like allopregnanolone (3ɑ,5ɑ-THP), produce feminization. There is a shunting of metabolism via 5ɑ-R with finasteride.

How do you increase allopregnanolone?

Several antidepressants of the SSRI type have been shown to potently increase the levels of allopregnanolone in rodents and depressed humans. Paroxetine and fluoxetine increased the levels of allopregnanolone in rats and mice without affecting the levels of pregnenolone or progesterone (35).

Does finasteride affect allopregnanolone?

Animal studies suggest that finasteride has inhibitory effects on 5alpha-reduction of testosterone and progesterone in the brain and inhibits the formation of allopregnanolone [31, 32].

What is allopregnanolone pregnancy?

Allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid whose levels rise throughout gestation, putatively stabilizes antenatal mood. The present study aimed to investigate associations of plasma allopregnanolone to antenatal depressive symptoms, as well as to genetic and obstetric factors.

Does progesterone turn into allopregnanolone?

Progesterone is also locally synthesized by the nervous system and qualifies, therefore, as a neurosteroid. In addition, the nervous system has the capacity to bio-convert progesterone into its active metabolite allopregnanolone.

Does pregnenolone increase allopregnanolone?

Pregnenolone was administered as a precursor loading strategy to significantly increase downstream allopregnanolone levels. Pregnenolone is lipophilic and readily crosses the blood brain barrier. Allopregnanolone serum levels have been reported to triple two hours after oral administration of 400 mg pregnenolone (45).

Does finasteride grow breasts?

Unfortunately, a known side effect of Propecia (finasteride) is that the drug can cause the growth of breast tissue. While acknowledging this risk, the manufacturer tends to refer to it as “swelling,” which implies a temporary condition, or “enlargement,” which is somewhat vague.

Does finasteride mess with hormones?

Finasteride does not affect body levels of cortisol, thyroid hormones, cholesterol, or bone mineral density. No dosage adjustment is needed in men with kidney disease; however, finasteride must be used with caution in men with liver disease. No clinically significant interactions have been reported.

What is the difference between pregnenolone and allopregnanolone?

05. In addition, region of interest (ROI) analysis with small volume correction (SVC) was conducted with a priori brain areas identified in previous neuroimaging studies of allopregnanolone (33, 34) and studies using the SEAT task (40).

Does finasteride affect GABA?

Altogether, stressful condition, hormonal changes, pharmacological treatment (e.g., finasteride, oral contraceptives) may coordinately change GABAA receptor expression resulting in alterations in receptor function underlying mood disorders. They may alter GABAA receptor pharmacology in response to anxiolytics (42).

Are there studies on finasteride in pre menopausal women?

While studies have been performed on the use of finasteride in pre-menopausal women, the caveat is that these women were also on an oral contraceptive ( 6 ). Therefore, there is no way to prove that finasteride alone was responsible for the results seen.

Are there any studies on finasteride and alopecia?

Studies performed on postmenopausal women are also available for review, and these offer a more in-depth look at the effects of finasteride on female-pattern alopecia. This first study, performed in Portugal and published in 2000, consisted of 137 postmenopausal women (between 41 and 60 years of age) with diagnosed AGA ( 7 ).

How is allopregnanolone synthesized from progesterone?

Allopregnanolone is synthesized from progesterone by the sequential actions of two enzymes, 5α-reductase type I (5α-RI), which transforms progesterone into 5α-dihydroprogesterone, and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD), which converts 5α-dihydroprogesterone into allopregnanolone.

Are there any RCTs for finasteride in women?

Meanwhile, other forms of hair loss were studied such as alopecia, lichen planopilaris, and frontal fibrosing alopecia, but no RCTs evaluating finasteride therapy were identified. Other prospective and retrospective studies report that finasteride may improve hair loss in women with female pattern hair loss or frontal fibrosing alopecia.