Exogenous testosterone (TP) can be used to induce androgenetic alopecia (AGA) in mice. Under the action of 5-α reductase, TP is converted into the more active DHT. DHT binds to the androgen receptor (AR) in hair follicles, causing the AR complex to translocate to the nucleus and regulate the expression of a series of genes related to hair follicle growth. This abnormal regulation can lead to miniaturization of hair follicles, shortening of the anagen phase, and prolongation of the telogen phase. Consequently, hair follicles gradually atrophy, hair becomes thinner and softer, and eventually fall out. This induced model can be used to study the pathophysiology of male alopecia and testing potential therapeutic interventions.
Example Study Outline
Example Study Data
Phenotype Validation:
Induction of higher plasma DHT level and delayed hair regrowth by 2mg/day TP
Efficacy Testing with Standard of Care Drugs in AGA model:
Minoxidil moderately increased hair regrowth during Day 9~Day 12
Representative pictures of hair regrowth:minoxidil slightly increased hair regrowth.
Hair follicle quantification:minoxidil treatment improved the number of hair follicles in AGA mice following 13 days of treatment.
Skin thickness: minoxidil had no effect on the skin thickness of AGA mice at the end point.