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5-AR Isoenzymes

Meaning

5-AR Isoenzymes represent distinct, genetically coded forms of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which is a critical steroid-metabolizing enzyme in human physiology. These isoenzymes catalyze the irreversible reduction of the steroid nucleus in androgens, most notably converting testosterone into the highly potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Clinical evaluation of these enzymes is vital for understanding androgen-dependent conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia and pattern hair loss.