Ketoconazole question...is it a vasodilator?

[Dogs3]

does anyone know exactly how keto in Nizoral works? Is it a growth stimulating vasodilator like NANO or minoxidil (i ask because of the study showing it was similar in effectiveness to 2% minoxidil). Or is it a 5ar blocker or testosterone reducer or what?

Do we know this to any degree?

 

[TEDDYRUXPIN]

I believe it is a mild DHT inhibitor - I mean very mild.

It is an excellent source for removing dandruff which is believed to play some part in hairloss in some people.

 

[vauxall]

Man, did you know about Google and wikipedia? Many people use them, so should you:

As with all azole antifungal agents, ketoconazole works principally by inhibition of an enzyme, cytochrome P450 14-alpha-demethylase (P45014DM). This enzyme is in the sterol biosynthesis pathway that leads from lanosterol to ergosterol. Fluconazole and itraconazole have been found to have a greater affinity for fungal cell membrane than ketoconazole, and thus lower doses of these azoles are required to kill fungi.

Lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Cytochrome P450 14?-demethylase)

CYP51A1 (or lanosterol 14 alpha-demethylase, P45014DM) is a cytochrome P450 (family 51, subfamily A, polypeptide 1) which converts lanosterol to cholesterol.

It is a target for antifungal drugs, inhibiting the production of ergosterol. Over-expression of CYP51A1 can lead to resistance to these antifungals.[1]

Hair loss benefits
A study in mice indicated that ketoconazole may have a stimulatory effect on hair growth.[14] Nizoral shampoo has shown to be beneficial in men suffering from androgenic alopecia. One 1998 study showed that Nizoral 2% worked just as well as minoxidil 2% (brand name Rogaine) in men with androgenic alopecia. Both medicines increased hair thickness and increased the number of anagen-phase hair follicles on the scalp. Researchers were guarded about the meaning of these results, saying that more rigorous studies on larger groups of men should be done to confirm the findings, both to evaluate the ideal dosage and formulation, and to assess the desirability of routine treatment in this condition. Nizoral Shampoo only has U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp, so although Nizoral may be useful as a hair loss remedy, it cannot be endorsed or marketed as one to the general public.[15] Nevertheless, pharmacies and drug stores often stock Nizoral with other hairloss remedies, rather than other shampoos.[citation needed]

Results so far indicate that both the 1% and 2% dosages have positive hair loss benefits; however the more potent 2% formulation could have better results. Optimal usage is speculated at every third day, leaving the shampoo on the scalp for 3–5 minutes before rinsing. It has been stated that medications capable of maintaining the existing hair population should be regarded as effective treatments for androgenic alopecia. The present data suggest that ketoconazole should enter this group of drugs.[16]

Topical application of ketoconazole stimulates hair growth in C3H/HeN mice.Jiang J, Tsuboi R, Kojima Y, Ogawa H.
Department of Dermatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.

Ketoconazole (KCZ) is an imidazole anti-fungal agent that is also effective in topical applications for treating seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. Recently, topical use of 2% KCZ shampoo has been reported to have had a clinically therapeutic effect on androgenetic alopecia. The present study was conducted with the purpose of quantitatively examining the stimulatory effect of KCZ on hair growth in a mouse model. Coat hairs on the dorsal skin of seven week-old male C3H/HeN mice were gently clipped, and either 2% KCZ solution in 95% ethanol or a vehicle solution was topically applied once daily for three weeks. The clipped area was photographed, and the ratio of re-grown coat area was then calculated. The results demonstrated that 2% KCZ had a macroscopically significant stimulatory effect compared with the vehicle group (p<0.01, n=10). Repeated experiments showed similar effects, confirming the efficacy of KCZ as a hair growth stimulant. Although the therapeutic mechanism of topical KCZ for hair growth is unclear, our results suggest that topical applications of the substance are useful for treating seborrheic dermatitis accompanied by hair regression or male pattern hair loss.

PMID: 15863844 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

[Dogs3]

thanks for posting, i've read that before... the reason why i asked if it MAY have vasodilator properties is that people thought spironolactone may have vasodilating properties too until recently when some research indicated that it may have the opposite effect and now many people think its actually harmful to your hair.

So keto has anti fungal properties, yeah i know that and also some dht blocking ability. But does it stimulate growth LIKE minoxidil does, in a similar manner?

Q for Bryan maybe.

 

[Todd]

It´s a mild anti- androgen. It works by distrupting (to a certain degree) steroidgenesis.
DHT, wich is really just a testosterone molecule with an added dihydro- group, is a steroide. It´s believed that ketoconazole distrupts the local synthesis and stability of this, and other steroides.

It´s primary function is anti- fungal, anti- bacterial and anti inflammatory.
Since inflammation may have something to do with hair loss, anti inflammatory agents may work as a preventing agent.

One clinical trial shows ketoconazole to be as effective as 2% minoxidil.
Other trials is less encouraging, comparing it´s effectiveness to zinc- based shampooes, such as "head and shoulders". Researchers do agree on one thing, though, it has clear benefits for hair and scalp if used correctly.


If you have mild hair loss, ketoconazole might do the trick. If you have more severe hairloss, it should be used in conjunction with finasteride.


Clinical trials shows ketoconazole and minoxidil both have growth properties, but does not work on the same biochemical pathways.

 

[zxAddict]

Optimum use is once every three days? So its suboptimal if I use it every day? I'm not sure I see why that would be. I use it briefly each morning to wash out the Revivogen - no problems for me but I do use a nice hair conditioner afterwards.

 

[Todd]

Optimum use for seborreic exema (wich is what this shampoo mostly is used for) is 3-4 times per week.
For hairloss, I don't know. Is the experiment where the effect was compared to minoxidil, a 2% GEL of ketoconazole was used EVERY day.
In other trials, it has been used as a shampoo 3-4 days.

Using it every day could result in local irritation of the scalp, but if it doesn't I don't think it would make it any LESS effective for hair loss.


Personally I use it every other day, to good effect along with minoxidil 2x/ day

 

[zxAddict]

Hmm, well I need to wash the Revivogen out each morning so I use the nizoral briefly with no issues. Unless it turns out you can OD on the stuff I'll keep doing that.

 

[Todd]

Ketoconazole only works locally, and has less than 1% probability of systemic absorption. In other words: impossible to OD unless you want to drink the stuff