Finasteride: Unlocking the Potential to Reduce Heart Disease Risk
In a groundbreaking study, researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Maryland have discovered that finasteride, a drug commonly used to treat hair loss and enlarged prostates, may also hold the key to reducing the risk of heart disease. By analyzing data from both male humans and mice, the researchers found that finasteride not only improved overall health but also lowered cholesterol levels.
Cholesterol, when present in excessive amounts in the body, is a well-known contributor to heart disease. It promotes the formation of atherosclerosis, which refers to the accumulation of fatty deposits in blood vessels, obstructing the flow of blood through the arteries. Over time, this can lead to life-threatening conditions such as strokes or heart attacks.
The research team embarked on this study to explore the potential link between finasteride and heart disease. The drug works by inhibiting a protein that activates testosterone, and previous studies have tentatively associated testosterone with atherosclerosis.
To investigate further, the researchers analyzed records from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database collected between 2009 and 2016. Focusing on 155 male adults aged 50 or older, they discovered a correlation between cholesterol levels and the use of finasteride. Although the sample size was relatively small, and the records did not indicate the duration of each person’s finasteride usage, the findings provided a weak yet intriguing suggestion of the drug’s potential heart benefits.
“When we looked at the men taking finasteride in the survey, their cholesterol levels averaged 30 points lower than men not taking the drug,” reveals Jaume Amengual, a food scientist from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
To further validate their findings, the researchers conducted more comprehensive tests using mice genetically engineered to be predisposed to atherosclerosis. The mice were divided into groups, with three different levels of finasteride administered to one group and a control group not given the drug. Additionally, all mice were fed a high-calorie diet for 12 weeks.
Remarkably, even with the poor quality of their diet, the mice receiving the highest dose of 1,000 milligrams per kilogram of food exhibited signs of improved health, including reduced cholesterol levels.
“Mice that were given a high dose of finasteride showed lower cholesterol levels within the plasma as well as in the arteries,” explains Donald Molina, a food scientist from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “There were also fewer lipids and inflammatory markers in the liver.”
It is worth noting that the mice received larger doses of finasteride relative to their size (approximately 2.5 mg daily for those on the highest dose) compared to the 1 or 5 milligram doses typically prescribed to humans. Nevertheless, the consistent results across both mice and human subjects offer promising prospects.
The next phase of this research involves conducting more detailed studies on cholesterol levels in diverse groups of individuals taking finasteride, as well as potential clinical trials. Fortunately, the fact that finasteride is already an approved drug should expedite the process.
“Over the past decade, doctors have started prescribing this drug for individuals transitioning either from male to female or female to male,” notes Amengual. “In both cases, the hormonal changes can trigger hair loss.”
“The interesting thing is that transgender people are also at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. So this drug could have a potential beneficial effect to prevent cardiovascular disease not only in cis men but also in transgender individuals.”
The findings of this groundbreaking study have been published in the Journal of Lipid Research, shedding new light on the potential of finasteride as a powerful weapon against heart disease. As further research unfolds, it is hoped that this drug could revolutionize cardiovascular health and offer a lifeline to countless individuals at risk of heart-related complications.
