Aromatase Enzymes

Scientists are still exploring other steroidogenic enzymes involved in the onset and developement of hair loss, especially in women. Not all women respond to 5 alpha reductase inhibitors, so their must be another mechanism of hair loss.

Aromatase

Cytochrome P-45 alpha0 aromatase (P45 alpha0arom) is the key enzyme for estrogen biosynthesis. Aromatase is located in estrogen-producing cells in the adrenal glands, ovaries, placenta, testicles, adipose (fat) tissue, and brain. P45 alpha0arom catalyzes the conversion of testosterone to estradiol, of androstenedione to estrone, and of 16 -hydroxylated dehydroepiandrosterone to estriol. In theory, these pathways may diminish the amount of intrafollicular testosterone available for conversion to DHT.

Women's level of aromatase is much higher than that of a man, which is why many scientists believe that this is the reason women have a sparing of the frontal hairline in androgenic alopecia. This could also explain why their pattern of hair loss is less aggressive. Women who take aromatase inhibitors like arimidex tend to develope androgenetic alopecia quite rapidly. This indicates a role of aromatase in hair loss.