Androgen synthesis inhibitor
An androgen synthesis inhibitor is a type of drug which inhibits the enzymatic synthesis of androgens, such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).[1] They include:
- CYP17A1 inhibitors (17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase inhibitors): inhibit the synthesis of androgens from pregnanes[1]
- androstenediolinto more potent androgens like and testosterone
- Cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme inhibitors (P450SCC/CYP11A1 inhibitors): inhibit the synthesis of pregnenolone from cholesterol, thereby inhibiting the synthesis of most steroid hormones(which are derived from pregnenolone) including androgens
- androstenedione
- 5α-Reductase inhibitors (5α-RIs; SRD5A inhibitors): inhibit the conversion of testosterone into the more-potent DHT
- androgen sulfatesinto active androgens like testosterone
Inhibitors of cholesterol synthesis can also reduce androgen production by inhibiting cholesterol production.
Androgen synthesis inhibitors have medical applications in the treatment of
androgenetic alopecia, hirsutism, precocious puberty, and hyperandrogenism, among other androgen-dependent conditions
.
Because androgens are the
precursors of estrogens, androgen synthesis inhibitors also function as estrogen synthesis inhibitors
and can reduce estrogen production and levels.
See also
- Antiandrogen § Androgen synthesis inhibitors
- Steroidogenesis inhibitor
- Progesterone synthesis inhibitor
- Estrogen synthesis inhibitor
References
- ^ PMID 24759590.