Publication:

SULT1A1 enzyme booster to amplify topical minoxidil response in androgenic alopecia: a single-center prospective study

Background Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common hair loss disorder affecting individuals across all demographics. Minoxidil, the most widely used treatment for AGA, has limited efficacy, benefiting only 30-40% of users. Previous studies have linked minoxidil's effectiveness to the sulfotransferase enzyme (SULT1A1) in hair follicles, suggesting that boosting this enzyme's activity may improve treatment outcomes in non-responders.

Methods This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a SULT1A1 enzyme booster in enhancing minoxidil response among AGA patients with limited prior improvement. The study enrolled 101 AGA patients who were non-responders to 5% topical minoxidil. Participants were treated with a combination of SULT1A1 adjuvant solution and 5% topical minoxidil for 90 days. Treatment response was evaluated using clinical assessment and statistical analysis to determine the impact of gender and age on outcomes.

Results After 90 days of treatment, 65% of the patients exhibited a positive response to the combination therapy. Gender analysis showed a significantly higher positive response in females compared to males (p<0.05). However, age did not significantly influence treatment outcomes.

Conclusion The combination of SULT1A1 enzyme booster and minoxidil demonstrated a promising increase in response among AGA patients who previously showed limited improvement with minoxidil alone. This study contributes to the limited literature on minoxidil booster responses in AGA, offering hope for improved treatment regimens for affected individuals.