TLDR Natural 5α-reduced glucocorticoids might be anti-inflammatory with fewer side effects than current options.
The document from 2011 reviews the potential of 5α-reduced glucocorticoids (GCs) as anti-inflammatory steroids with fewer metabolic side effects compared to current synthetic GCs. It discusses the cloning and characterization of 5α-reductase isozymes, SRD5A1 and SRD5A2, and their role in steroid metabolism, male reproductive system development, and their association with diseases like prostate cancer and PCOS. The metabolism of GCs by these isozymes is explored, noting that human isozymes poorly metabolize GCs but produce metabolites with distinct anti-inflammatory properties. The document also highlights the importance of the balance between parent GCs and their metabolites, especially in the liver, and suggests that 5α-reduced GCs could be prototypes for drug design. However, it raises concerns about the effects of 5α-reductase inhibitors on this balance and potential adverse metabolic and inflammatory effects. The work acknowledges various grants and assistance with chemical figures.
45 citations,
August 2010 in “Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation” Type 3 5α-reductase is more common and finasteride and dutasteride strongly inhibit it.
260 citations,
July 2010 in “Cell” Mutations in the SRD5A3 gene cause a new type of glycosylation disorder by blocking the production of a molecule necessary for protein glycosylation.
195 citations,
February 2007 in “The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism” Dutasteride and finasteride may reduce sperm count and volume but don't affect movement or shape; effects are reversible after stopping.
15 citations,
April 2003 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” Gene differences may affect baldness treatment response in Korean men.
45 citations,
September 2000 in “Archives of dermatology” The study found that the enzyme linked to acne is present in the same areas of both acne-affected and normal skin.
41 citations,
March 1998 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” The enzyme that changes testosterone to a stronger form is mostly found in the part of the hair follicle called the dermal papilla.
26 citations,
November 1993 in “Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry” Treatment during development affects hormone balance and sexual behavior in male rats.
8 citations,
May 1982 in “Journal of Endocrinology/Journal of endocrinology” Rat skin takes up and processes testosterone differently than other organs, with testosterone being more important for the skin than its metabolite 5α-DHT.
10 citations,
March 2019 in “Journal of neuroendocrinology” Testosterone affects stress hormone levels differently in adolescent and adult male rats.
