The prescription drug, which has been available in the United States since 1992, is recognized by many as effective in treating hair loss and enlarged prostates, but it may have another important benefit.
Recent research suggests that a drug called finasteride may lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. This is a surprising development for a drug that has been around for decades.
led by curiosity Dr. Jaume AmengualAssistant Professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition University of Illinoisexplores this unexpected connection.
After noticing something unusual during a national survey, he decided to investigate further.
“When we looked at men taking finasteride in a study, their cholesterol levels were, on average, 30 points lower than men who weren’t taking finasteride. We expected to see the opposite pattern, so we found that It was very interesting,” Dr. Amengal said excitedly.
Does finasteride lower cholesterol?
The first clue is National Health and Nutrition Survey It was conducted from 2009 to 2016.
The survey collects health information from thousands of Americans. The data showed that men using finasteride as a hair loss treatment had significantly lower cholesterol levels compared to men not taking the medication.
The 30-point difference was quite large and caught the attention of researchers. However, observational studies have limitations. The sample size of men over 50 using finasteride was small.
“This was not a clinical study where everything was perfectly controlled,” Amengual pointed out. “It was more of an observation that led us to say, ‘Okay, now people are seeing this.’ Let’s see what happens in mice.”
From observation to experiment
To get a clearer picture, the research team turned to laboratory mice. doctoral student Donald Molina Chavez The researchers conducted experiments on mice that are prone to atherosclerosis, a condition in which arteries narrow due to plaque buildup.
The mice were given various doses of finasteride along with a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet.
“Mice given high doses of finasteride had lower cholesterol levels in their plasma and arteries,” Molina Chavez said. “Lipids and inflammatory markers in the liver were also reduced.”
These findings suggested that finasteride not only lowers blood cholesterol, but may also reduce inflammation and plaque formation in the arteries.
There were significant effects even at the highest doses, but not at the levels humans would ingest.
“This is an incredibly high level of the drug. But we’re using mice as a model, and mice are very resistant to things that would kill us,” Amengual said. explained. “If you think about it that way, it’s not that far-fetched.”
Results in mice provide direction for future human research.
finasteride, testosterone, heart disease
So why do hair loss medications affect cholesterol levels? It comes down to hormones.
Finasteride works by blocking the protein that activates testosterone, specifically reducing levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT has been linked to hair loss, prostate enlargement, and possibly heart disease.
“One day I was reading about this drug, and I started to realize that there weren’t a lot of long-term studies on the effects of this drug,” Amengal said.
“At first it was just a curiosity on my own, based on the fact that hormone levels are known to influence atherosclerosis, hair loss, and prostate problems. So we decided to dig into it. I decided.”
Testosterone and its derivatives may influence the development of atherosclerosis. By changing these hormone levels, finasteride indirectly affects cholesterol metabolism and inflammation, which may lead to improved heart health.
More surprises with finasteride
Interestingly, these findings may help more than just men dealing with hair loss and prostate problems.
Transgender people undergoing hormone therapy often have an increased risk of heart disease due to hormonal changes.
Finasteride is sometimes prescribed during gender transition to manage hair loss caused by hormone therapy.
“Over the past decade, doctors have started prescribing this drug for people transitioning from male to female or female to male. In both cases, hormonal changes can cause hair loss,” Amengual says. said.
“What’s interesting is that transgender people are also at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, so this drug may have a potential beneficial effect in preventing cardiovascular disease not only in cis men but also in transgender people.” There is.”
This opens the possibility for finasteride to serve a dual purpose for transgender patients, helping with hair loss while reducing the risk of heart disease.
What’s the problem? Understanding the risks of finasteride
Of course, no drug is risk-free. Finasteride can cause side effects, so it’s important to consider them.
Some users experience sexual side effects such as decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and decreased ejaculation volume. These effects occur because finasteride reduces DHT, which plays a role in sexual function.
Psychological effects such as depression, anxiety, and mood changes have also been reported. Not everyone experiences these, but it’s important to monitor.
Physical side effects include breast tenderness or enlargement, rash, and swelling of the hands and feet. In rare cases, finasteride can affect liver enzymes, so regular medical checkups are recommended.
A small number of users have reported side effects that persist even after stopping the medication, a condition called post-finasteride syndrome (PFS).
Symptoms may include ongoing sexual dysfunction and psychological problems. Research is underway to understand and address these concerns.
What does the future hold for finasteride?
These findings suggest that finasteride may play a role in heart health beyond its current uses. However, further research is needed.
Human clinical trials will help determine whether the cholesterol-lowering effects seen in mice also occur in humans at practical doses.
“This was not a clinical study where everything could be perfectly controlled,” Amengual stressed. “It was more of an observation that led us to say, ‘Okay, now people are seeing this.’ Let’s see what happens in mice.”
If future studies confirm these benefits, finasteride could become part of a strategy to prevent heart disease, especially in people at high risk.
New hope? Let’s open our eyes and move on
Finasteride has been around for a long time and has helped many hair loss and prostate problems. Now, it may play a new role in promoting heart health.
This can be important not only for men, but also for the transgender community and people at risk of cardiovascular disease.
As with any treatment, it is important to consult your health care provider before making any changes. The potential benefits and risks of finasteride must be balanced. But this research raises exciting possibilities.
The entire research is lipid research journal.
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