ISSN:
1365-2133
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
The metabolism of dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione and testosterone was compared in vitro in human scalp, forehead, pubic and axillary skin biopsies. Conversion of testosterone to the metabolite 5χ-dihydrotestosterone, believed to be the active form of androgen, occurred in all tissues; however 17-oxosteroids such as androstenedione, 5χ-androstanedione and androsterone were also formed from testosterone and were the major metabolites of scalp and forehead skin. While 17β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activity was present in every skin sample, it was evident there were differences in the direction of operation of this enzyme in skin from different body sites. Axillary skin readily metabolised androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone to active 17β-hydroxy steroids such as testosterone and 5χ-dihydrotestosterone, but these compounds were minor metabolites of androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone in forehead and scalp skin despite their activity in 17β-oxidation of testosterone. Pubic skin was intermediate between axillary and scalp skin in its ability to form 17β-hydroxy products from androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone. It is suggested these patterns of metabolism may reflect differences in androgen sensitivity.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.1977.tb15178.x
