Αndrogenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common hair disorder, affecting approximately 50% of men and women. A topical lotion that contains two patented formulas (Redensyl and Sepicontrol A5), has been introduced as an alternative approach to standard therapies for AGA. Forty-four patients with AGA were randomized either to apply the active lotion or the vehicle, twice daily for 24 weeks. Subjects were evaluated at 0, 12, and 24 weeks by clinical examination, photographic documentation, quality of life evaluation (DLQI), and trichogram (anagen-to-telogen ratio). Forty-one patients, 18 males and 23 females, completed the study. Among patients receiving active treatment (n = 26), 7.7% had great improvement, 73.1% had moderate improvement, and 19.2% remained stable. The median self-assessment score increased from 4 at baseline to 6 at 24 weeks (P < .001), while the DLQI improved from 4 to 3, respectively (P < .001). The median anagen-to-telogen ratio increased from 2.25 to 4.00 to 6.02 at weeks 0, 12, and 24, respectively. No significant adverse events were reported. This new topical active blend is effective in the treatment of AGA, with high degree of patients\' satisfaction, improvement of quality of life, and an excellent safety profile. Thus, it may represent a useful alternative therapeutic approach for AGA.

BACKGROUND: The specific involvement of the sex steroids in the growth of the prostatic tissue remains unclear. Sex steroid concentrations in plasma and in fresh surgical samples of benign central prostate were correlated to prostate volume.
METHODS: Monocentric prospective study performed between September 2014 and January 2017. Age, obesity parameters, and both serum and intraprostatic concentrations of sex steroids were collected complying with the latest Endocrine Society guidelines and the steroids assessed by GC/MS. Statistical calculations were adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI).
RESULTS: Thirty-two patients, equally divided between normal- and high-volume prostate groups, were included in the analysis. High-volume prostate patients were older, heavier and had higher BMI. Comparison adjusted for age and BMI showed higher DHT concentrations in high-volume prostate. Both normal- and high-volume prostate tissues concentrate sex steroids in a similar way. Comparison of enzymatic activity surrogate marker ratios within tissue highlighted similar TT/E1 and TT/E2 ratios, and higher DHT/E1 ratio and lower DHT/PSA ratio in the high-volume prostates.
CONCLUSIONS: STERPROSER trial provides evidence for higher DHT concentration in highvolume prostates, that could reflect either higher 5-alpha reductase expression or lower expression of downstream metabolizing enzymes such as 3a-hydoxysteroid dehydrogenase.

We investigate the impact of dutasteride on prostate specific antigen (PSA) and prostate volume in men receiving testosterone (T) therapy. Twenty-three men on stable dose T therapy were randomised to receive either dutasteride or placebo for 12 months. Serum levels of PSA, T and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and responses to the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ) questionnaires were determined at baseline and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Prostate volume (PV) was measured using transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) at baseline and again after 12 months. A total of 22 men (mean age 57.3) completed the study, with 11 men receiving placebo and 11 receiving dutasteride. Men receiving dutasteride had a significant decrease in PSA (-0.46 ± 0.81 ng ml(-1) ; P = 0.04) and in PV (-6.65 ± 11.0%; P = 0.03) from baseline over 12 months. DHT decreased significantly for men on dutasteride compared with men receiving placebo (P = 0.02). When compared with men who received placebo, men who received dutasteride demonstrated nonsignificant trends towards decreased PSA (-0.46 versus 0.21 ng ml(-1) ; P = 0.11), PV (-6.65% versus 3.4%; P = 0.08) and MSHQ scores (-10.2 versus 5.6; P = 0.06). Dutasteride reduces PSA and PV for men on T therapy, but perhaps less so than in men without T therapy.

BACKGROUND: Dihydrotestosterone is the main androgen causative of androgenetic alopecia, a psychologically and physically harmful condition warranting medical treatment.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare the efficacy and safety of dutasteride (type 1 and 2 5-alpha reductase inhibitor) with finasteride (type 2 5-alpha reductase inhibitor) and placebo in men with androgenetic alopecia.
METHODS: Men aged 20 to 50 years with androgenetic alopecia were randomized to receive dutasteride (0.02, 0.1, or 0.5 mg/d), finasteride (1 mg/d), or placebo for 24 weeks. The primary end point was hair count (2.54-cm diameter) at week 24. Other assessments included hair count (1.13-cm diameter) and width, photographic assessments (investigators and panel), change in stage, and health outcomes.
RESULTS: In total, 917 men were randomized. Hair count and width increased dose dependently with dutasteride. Dutasteride 0.5 mg significantly increased hair count and width in a 2.54-cm diameter and improved hair growth (frontal view; panel photographic assessment) at week 24 compared with finasteride (P = .003, P = .004, and P = .002, respectively) and placebo (all P < .001). The number and severity of adverse events were similar among treatment groups.
CONCLUSIONS: The study was limited to 24 weeks.
CONCLUSIONS: Dutasteride increased hair growth and restoration in men with androgenetic alopecia and was relatively well tolerated.

BACKGROUND: Testosterone (T) administration to men increases T, estradiol (E2), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and fat-free mass (FFM), and decreases fat mass (FM) but does not consistently improve insulin sensitivity (IS).
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of T administration in obese, nondiabetic men on body composition and IS, and to determine if inhibition (i) of metabolism of T to E2 with anastrazole or to DHT with dutasteride alters these effects.
METHODS: This was a 98-day randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled trial of 57 men, 24-51 year, free T in the lower 25% of normal range (<0.33 nmol/L), body mass index ≥ 30.0 kg/m(2). Subjects were randomized to one of four groups: (i) placebo: gel, pills, and injection; (ii) T/DHT/iE2: T gel, anastrazole, and acyline (gonadotropin releasing-hormone antagonist to suppress endogenous T); (iii) T/iDHT/E2: T gel, dutasteride, and acyline; (iv) T/DHT/E2: T gel, placebo pills, and acyline.
METHODS: Main outcome measures are insulin sensitivity as percent change (%Δ) in glucose disposal rates (GDR) from a two-step euglycemic clamp (GDR1 and 2), and %FM and %FFM by dual X-ray absorptiometry scan.
RESULTS: Insulin Sensitivity: %Δ GDR1 differed across groups (P = 0.02, anova) and was significantly higher in the dutasteride (T/iDHT/E2) compared with the placebo and T gel (T/DHT/E2) groups. %ΔGDR2 was higher in the dutasteride (T/iDHT/E2) compared with the anastrazole (T/DHT/iE2) group. Body Composition: T gel alone (T/DHT/E2) or with dutasteride (T/iDHT/E2) significantly increased %FFM (P < 0.05) and decreased %FM (P < 0.05). There was no change in %FFM or %FM after placebo or anastrazole (T/DHT/iE2).
CONCLUSIONS: The combination of T plus dutasteride improved body composition and IS while T alone improved body composition but not IS, suggesting that when T is administered to men, reduction to DHT attenuates the beneficial effects of aromatization to E2 on IS but not body composition.