Biochemistry of gonadal hormones: Biochemistry of gonadal hormones by
Henry Wormser
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ESTROGENS: ESTROGENS estrogens include the natural hormones as well as semi-synthetic and synthetic (stilbene) agents
estrogens are used as hormone-replacement therapy (menopause), in oncology and as contraceptives
most estrogen in the female is produced in the ovaries by the theca interna and the granulosa cells of the follicles
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Actions of estrogens: Actions of estrogens on sexual organs (primary and secondary sexual characteristics)
ovaries : stimulate follicular growth; small doses cause an increase in weight of ovary; large doses cause atrophy
uterus: endometrial growth
vagina: cornification of epithelial cells with thickening and stratification of epithelium
cervix: increase of cervical mucous with a lowered viscosity (favoring sperm access)
Actions of estrogens: Actions of estrogens Development and maintenance of internal (fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina), and external genitalia
skin: increase in vascularization, development of soft, textured and smooth skin
bone: increase osteoblastic activity
electrolytes: retention of Na+, Cl- and water by the kidney
cholesterol: hypocholesterolemic effect
Estrogen receptors: Estrogen receptors
Estrogen receptors: Estrogen receptors
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Slide11: natural mamalian estrogens; plants also produce estrogenic substances (isoflavones)
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Natural estrogens: Natural estrogens Conjugated estrogenic substances:
an amorphous preparation containing water soluble conjugated forms of mixed estrogens from the urine of pregnant mares (Premarin, Cenestin - synthetic conjugated estrogens)
estradiol :
oral : Estrace
transdermal: Climara, Alora, Vivelle, Vivelle-Dot, Estraderm, FemPatch
Natural estrogens: Natural estrogens estrone:
Kestrone 5 (injectable only)
esterified estrogen
(75-85% sodium estrone sulfate and 6- 15% sodium equilin sulfate)
Estratab; Menest
estropipate (piperazine estrone sulfate)
Ogen; Ortho-Est
Natural estrogens: Natural estrogens Sustained-release injectables:
estradiol valerate in oil (Delestrogen; Valergen)
estradiol cypionate in oil (depGynogen; DepoGen)
duration of action from 3 to 8 weeks
esterified at C-17 hydroyl group
Slide18: Estrogen products
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DIETHYLSTIBESTROL: DIETHYLSTIBESTROL
CHLOROTRIANISENE: CHLOROTRIANISENE
CLOMIPHENE CITRATE: CLOMIPHENE CITRATE
TAMOXIFEN: TAMOXIFEN
Methallenestril: Methallenestril
RALOXIFENE (Evista): RALOXIFENE (Evista) Known as a SERM (selective estrogen receptor modulator) –currently used to modify/ prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis
Raloxifene (Evista): Raloxifene (Evista)
Semi-synthetic estrogens: Semi-synthetic estrogens Very commonly utilized in oral contraceptive products
ethinyl estradiol is more potent than mestranol
QUINESTROL: QUINESTROL
PROGESTERONE AND PROGESTINS: PROGESTERONE AND PROGESTINS Drugs which mimic the action of progesterone
complement the action of estrogen on primary and secondary sex characteristics
many are used as oral contraceptives:
norgestrel, levonorgestrel, norethindrone, norethindrone acetate, norethynodrel, ethynodiol diacetate, desogestrel and norgestimate
PROGESTERONE: PROGESTERONE Natural hormone secreted
by the corpus luteum and the
placenta ( a C-21 steroid)
it is also an important intermediate in steroid biogenesis in all tissues that produce steroids (testes, adrenal cortex) Intestinal absorption is quite erratic; must be micronized for
most effective absoption (Prometrium)
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19-NOR STEROIDS: 19-NOR STEROIDS Chemical analogues of testosterone - some retain some
androgenic activity such as norethindrone
19-NOR STEROIDS: 19-NOR STEROIDS
19-nor steroids: 19-nor steroids
19-nor steroids: 19-nor steroids Both the racemic and the optically pure (levonorgestrel)
are used in oral contraceptive products
Etonorgestrel: Etonorgestrel
19-nor steroids: 19-nor steroids Some 19-nor steroids can be metabolized to estrogenic compounds
these progestins then exhibit estrogenic activity
norethynodrel and ethynodiol diacetate have estrogenic activity
17-hydroxy esterified progestins: 17-hydroxy esterified progestins Medroxyprogesterone acetate is a very popular orally effective progestin (Provera)
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Combined estrogens and progestins: Combined estrogens and progestins Currently very popular forms for HRT
combine an estrogen (natural or semi-synthetic) with an orally effective progestin
Prempro and Premphase
FemHRT
Combipatch
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Oral Contraceptives: Oral Contraceptives 4 types:
monophasic: Loestrin, Levlen, Levora, Levlite, Desogen, Lo/Ovral, Ortho-Cept, Nordette, Demulen, Ovcon, Modicon, Zovia, Loestrin, Apri, Microgestin, Yasmin, Ortho-Cept, Levora, Alesse
biphasic: Ortho-Novum 10/11, Nelova 10/11, Necon 10/11, Jenest-28, Mircette
triphasic: Ortho-Novum 7/7/7, Tri-Norinyl, Tri-Levlen, Triphasil, Trivora-28, Estrostep
progestin-only: Micronor, Nor-QD, Ovrette
Generics: Generics Examples of Generic Oral Contraceptives
• Apri (same as Desogen and Ortho-Cept 28) • Aviane (same as Alesse-28) • Lessina (same as Levlite 28) • Necon (same as Ortho-Novum 1/35) • Ogestrel (same as Ovral) • Sprintec (same as Ortho-Cyclen-28) • Microgestin Fe (same as Loestrin Fe) • Kariva (same as Mircette) • Enpresse (same as Triphasil-28)
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Slide48: Monophasic OC
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Slide53: Seasonale
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OTHER CONTRACEPTIVE PRODUCTS: OTHER CONTRACEPTIVE PRODUCTS Levonorgestrel implants (Norplant system)
intrauterine progesterone contraceptive system (Progestasert)
medroxyprogesterone contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera)
nonoxynol contraceptive creams and gels
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Emergency contraceptives: Emergency contraceptives drugs used for the prevention of pregnancy following unprotected intercourse or a known or suspected contraceptive failure
to be effective these must be taken within 72 hours of intercourse
two products are available:
Plan B: 0.75 mg levonorgestrel
Preven: 0.25 mg levonorgestrel and 0.05 mg ethinyl estradiol (this product includes a pregnancy test kit)
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Plant estrogens: phytoestrogens: Plant estrogens: phytoestrogens A variety of compounds exist in plant which possess estrogenic activity
Soy products contain flavonoids and lignin derived compounds which have estrogenic activity
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Black cohosh (Remifemin): Black cohosh (Remifemin) Cimicifuga racemosa
medicinally used parts: dried rhizomes and roots
used for the symptoms of PMS and climacteric complains
active ingredients:
triterpenes: cimifugoside, actein, 27-deoxyactein
Quinolizine alkaloids: cytisine, methyl cytisine
Other: isoferulic acid
binding to estrogen receptor causes a suppression of LH release
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ANDROGENS: ANDROGENS prototype is testosterone (produced by interstitial cells of testis)
main function: development and maintenance of primary and secondary sex characteristics in males (androgenic)
protein retention (anabolic action)
other naturally occuring androgens: androsterone, isoandrosterone, dehydroandrosterone, dehydroisoandrosterone
Physiological effects of testosterone: Physiological effects of testosterone pubertal transformation:
enlargement of testes, penis and scrotum
pubic and axillary hair
bone growth
red cell mass increase
skeletal muscle mass increase
larynx enlarges - deepening of the voice
increase in sebaceous glands - often cause of acne
beard development
Natural androgens: Natural androgens
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Testosterone products: Testosterone products testosterone in aqueous suspension (short-acting)
testosterone propionate in oil
testosterone enanthate in oil (Delatestryl)
testosterone cypionate in oil (Depotest)
testosterone pellets (Testopel)
testosterone transdermal system (Androderm)
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Uses for Androgens: Uses for Androgens Replacement therapy in hypogonadism
delayed puberty
cryptorchidism
metastatic breast cancer in women
postpartum breast pain/engorgement
male climacteric
Semi-synthetic androgens: Semi-synthetic androgens Frequently classified as 17-alpha alkylated androgens;
alkylation confers more oral effectiveness
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ANABOLIC STEROIDS: ANABOLIC STEROIDS Also classified as 17-alpha alkylated androgens
FINASTERIDE (PROSCAR, PROPECIA): FINASTERIDE (PROSCAR, PROPECIA) An anti-androgen used
in the treatment of BPH
(benign prostatic hypertrophy)
also used to manage male pattern
baldness (Propecia)
Slide75: Finasteride : Proscar and Propecia
CYPROTERONE ACETATE: CYPROTERONE ACETATE Antiandrogenic properties
ANTIANDROGENS: ANTIANDROGENS
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Slide79: Steroid Aromatase Estrogens
AROMATASE INHIBITORS: AROMATASE INHIBITORS aromatase is a cytochrome P450 enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of adrenal androgen androstenedione to estrone in both pre- amd post menopausal women
reaction occurs in the liver, muscle, adipose and breast tissue
in post-menopausal women, aromatization is responsible for the majority of circulating estrogen
aminoglutethimide was used but has now been replaced by more selective drugs
drugs may be steroidal (testolactone, emestane) or non-steroidal (anastrozole, letrozole)
estrogen deprivation through aromatase inhibition is an effective and selective treatment for some post-menopausal patients with hormone-dependent breast cancer
AROMATASE INHIBITORS: AROMATASE INHIBITORS both of these drugs are used in the treatment of advanced
breast cancer in post-menopausal women with disease
progression following tamoxifen therapy
EMESTANE (Aromasin): EMESTANE (Aromasin)
Exemestane (Aromasin): Exemestane (Aromasin) 6-methylenandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione
structurally related to androstenedione
acts as an irreversible (suicide) inhibitor of aromatase
has no effect on other enzymes involved in steroidogenesis
indicated for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women whose disease has progressed following tamoxifen therapy
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