RU 58841 vs Finasteride for Hair Loss

Summary

In this video, the comparison between RU58841 and finasteride for preventing hair loss is explored, focusing on their mechanisms, effectiveness, and side effects. Finasteride works by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase to reduce DHT levels, while RU58841 prevents testosterone and DHT from binding to androgen receptors on hair follicles. Both have shown promise, but RU58841 lacks extensive human trial data. The video suggests using finasteride in the short term for hair loss prevention, while long-term use may benefit from combining it with RU58841 or similar agents to address rising testosterone levels and provide more comprehensive protection against androgenic alopecia.

Takeaways

• 😀 Finasteride works by inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, reducing DHT levels in the scalp and body, helping prevent hair loss.
• 😀 RU 58841 is a topical anti-androgen that prevents testosterone and DHT from binding to androgen receptors in hair follicles without affecting DHT production.
• 😀 Finasteride reduces DHT by about 70% in plasma and 40-50% in the scalp, but can lead to an increase in testosterone levels, which might still contribute to hair loss over time.
• 😀 RU 58841 has no systemic side effects because it is applied topically and does not affect the body's DHT or testosterone levels.
• 😀 Both Finasteride and RU 58841 target androgenic alopecia but through different mechanisms—Finasteride works by lowering DHT, while RU 58841 blocks androgen receptor activation.
• 😀 RU 58841 has shown to improve follicle diameter and hair growth better than Finasteride in animal studies.
• 😀 Clinical trials and randomized controlled trials on RU 58841 are limited, and most evidence comes from animal studies and anecdotal reports.
• 😀 CB-0301, a new topical agent, shares a similar mechanism with RU 58841 but may offer better binding affinity and longer-lasting effects on hair follicles.
• 😀 Long-term hair loss prevention may benefit from combining Finasteride (or another 5AR inhibitor) with topical anti-androgens like RU 58841 or CB-0301.
• 😀 RU 58841 is not FDA-approved, and its use is mainly limited to research purposes, though it shows promise in preventing androgenic alopecia.
• 😀 For those new to treating androgenic alopecia, Finasteride is recommended for short-term use, while combining it with topical treatments like RU 58841 may be more effective long-term.

Q & A

What is the primary difference between Finasteride and RU58841?

The main difference between Finasteride and RU58841 is their mechanism of action. Finasteride works by inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, reducing DHT levels in the body and scalp. In contrast, RU58841 is a topical androgen receptor antagonist that prevents testosterone and DHT from binding to androgen receptors in hair follicles, without affecting androgen production.

How does Finasteride help in preventing hair loss?

Finasteride helps prevent hair loss by inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, which reduces the conversion of testosterone to DHT. This lowers DHT levels in the scalp and other tissues, thus reducing its impact on hair follicles and slowing hair loss.

What are the limitations of Finasteride in treating androgenic alopecia?

Finasteride primarily works by reducing DHT levels, but it does not affect testosterone directly. This means that while DHT levels decrease, testosterone levels can increase, potentially contributing to continued hair loss over time. Additionally, Finasteride does not completely halt androgenic alopecia.

What is RU58841 and how does it work?

RU58841 is a topical androgen receptor antagonist that works by preventing testosterone and DHT from binding to androgen receptors in hair follicles. Unlike Finasteride, it does not reduce androgen production, but instead blocks androgens from affecting the hair follicle.

Are there any documented side effects for RU58841?

There is limited clinical evidence regarding the side effects of RU58841, but an animal study showed that RU58841’s metabolites were found in one out of 40 monkeys after six months of use. In general, side effects appear to depend on dosage, and the long-term safety profile is still not fully established.

What did the animal studies show about RU58841's effectiveness?

Animal studies comparing RU58841 and Finasteride showed that RU58841 had a better effect on increasing hair follicle diameter and promoting hair growth. Specifically, RU58841 resulted in a 26% increase in hair follicle diameter compared to Finasteride's 12% increase.

Why is RU58841 not FDA-approved?

RU58841 is not FDA-approved primarily because it lacks extensive clinical data from human trials. Most of the available research comes from animal studies, and there is insufficient evidence to confirm its safety and efficacy for long-term use in humans.

How do Finasteride and RU58841 compare in terms of preventing hair loss in the long term?

For long-term hair loss prevention, a combination of Finasteride and an androgen receptor antagonist like RU58841 could be the most effective. Finasteride helps reduce DHT, while RU58841 blocks the androgen receptors, addressing both hormonal factors contributing to hair loss.

Can RU58841 be used alone to prevent hair loss?

While RU58841 shows promise in blocking the androgen receptor, its effectiveness as a standalone treatment for hair loss is still uncertain due to the lack of clinical human data. It may be more effective when used in combination with other treatments like Finasteride.

What are the potential advantages of using RU58841 over Finasteride?

RU58841 may have an advantage in that it doesn’t affect DHT production or testosterone levels in the body. This means it may have fewer systemic side effects compared to Finasteride, which can cause sexual side effects due to its impact on DHT levels.