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A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has revealed a surprising new dimension to the drug finasteride, commonly used to treat male pattern baldness and enlarged prostate. The research suggests that finasteride may not only address hair loss and prostate issues but also offer significant benefits for heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The study, drawing on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning from 2009 to 2016, analyzed the cholesterol levels of men using finasteride compared to those who were not. The results were startling: men on finasteride exhibited cholesterol levels an average of 30 points lower than their counterparts not taking the drug.
Lead study author Jaume Amengual, an assistant professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, expressed his surprise at these findings, stating, “When we looked at the men taking finasteride in the survey, their cholesterol levels averaged 30 points lower than men not taking the drug. I thought we’d see the opposite pattern, so it was very interesting.”
Further experiments conducted on mice corroborated these observations, demonstrating reductions in plasma cholesterol, delayed progression of atherosclerosis, and decreased liver inflammation among other positive outcomes associated with finasteride use.
Despite the study’s observational nature and limitations due to a small sample size of men over 50 using finasteride, the findings prompted deeper investigation into the drug’s effects, particularly its potential mechanisms of action related to testosterone inhibition.
Donald Molina Chaves, a doctoral student involved in the research, conducted experiments on mice predisposed to atherosclerosis. Mice administered varying doses of finasteride alongside a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet showed promising results, with significant decreases in cholesterol levels and inflammatory markers in the liver, particularly at higher doses.
Amengual highlighted the broader implications of these findings, suggesting that finasteride could offer cardiovascular protection not only to men with hair loss or prostate issues but also to transgender individuals undergoing hormonal transitions, who are at an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
“This drug could have a potential beneficial effect to prevent cardiovascular disease not only in cis men but also in transgender individuals,” Amengual noted.
However, he cautioned that while finasteride shows promise, like any medication, it carries risks and should be used under medical supervision. The study’s findings open avenues for further research, including potential clinical trials to verify finasteride’s cholesterol-lowering effects and its broader application in cardiovascular disease prevention.
In summary, this research unveils a remarkable new facet of finasteride, traditionally known for its role in addressing hair loss and prostate issues. By demonstrating its potential to improve heart health, finasteride emerges as a promising ally in the fight against cardiovascular disease, offering hope to diverse patient populations beyond its established uses.
