Follicular 5α-reductase
What is Follicular 5α-reductase?
Follicular 5α-reductase testing measures enzyme activity relevant to conversion of testosterone into DHT in hair follicle research. It characterizes ingredient effects on hormone formation separately from downstream androgen-receptor responses.
Why do you need this service?
Use follicular 5α-reductase studies to investigate conversion of testosterone to DHT in a defined system. Interpret enzyme inhibition separately from clinical hair retention or growth.
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Follicular 5α-reductase
5α-reductase converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen involved in follicular responses associated with androgenetic alopecia. This service focuses specifically on that conversion, with a follicle-relevant enzyme source or model.
Activity measurements
Enzyme preparations, tissue-derived systems, or suitable cellular models can compare DHT formation with and without an ingredient. The isoform, source, and assay conditions must be specified to interpret the result.
- Direct quantification of DHT or substrate conversion
- Concentration-response analysis and IC50 where supported
- Reference inhibitor and vehicle controls
- Sample interference and cellular viability checks as applicable
Interpreting an inhibition result
NADPH consumption may provide an indirect readout, but other reactions or sample chemistry can affect it, especially in complex tissue preparations. Confirmation by a product-specific analytical method can strengthen interpretation. Reduced enzyme activity does not demonstrate blocked androgen receptors, maintained anagen, or clinical hair regrowth. The result helps compare candidate ingredients within a defined mechanism rather than predict a guaranteed hair-loss outcome.
Applications of follicular 5α-reductase studies
Comparing inhibition
The assay should identify the isoform, enzyme or cell source, analytical method and reference inhibitor. DHT measurements can characterize conversion and supported concentration-response data can yield assay-specific inhibitory estimates. These values do not establish a universal effective formulation concentration.
Assessing hair-care relevance
Follicular models may add information about the biological context, but topical delivery and hair outcomes remain separate questions. Enzyme data support only the measured inhibitory response; clinical DHT reduction requires appropriate human evidence. Hormonal treatment and hair-loss claims require product-classification and evidence review for the intended market.
Investigate hair follicle and fibre biology through keratin, pigment, growth and androgen-related endpoints, separately from visible human hair outcomes. Explore another Hair Follicle & Fibre page on cosmetic-labs.com.