Increased Androgen Binding in Keloids: A Preliminary Communication

Sex hormone binding protein analyses were performed on six keloids, the adjacent skin, and on six simple scars. A high level of androgen binding (510 to 1149 Fm/mg of cytosol protein) was found in the keloids. The estrogen and progesterone binding activities were low. Para-keloid tissues were found to have androgen binding of 177 to 476 Fm/mg of cytosol protein. Once again, estrogen and progesterone binding activities were low. In six simple scars, androgen binding was less than 1/10 of that found in the keloids (37 to 60 Fm/mg of cytosol protein); estrogen and progesterone binding was so low that it was almost undetectable. We believe this data suggests that localized hyperandrogen metabolism may play a causal or at least contributory role in the pathogenesis of keloids.