Steroid Hormones: Overview and Medical Applications

The document from 2016 provides an overview of the role of steroid hormones in human physiology, their chemical structure, and their involvement in various biological processes. It emphasizes the importance of steroid hormones, such as glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, androgens, estrogens, and progestins, in the functioning of organ systems and their production primarily in the adrenal cortex. Cholesterol is identified as the precursor of all steroid hormones. The document discusses the synthesis and medical applications of glucocorticoids, including their anti-inflammatory effects and side effects that limit clinical use. It also covers the use of estrogen agonists and antagonists, progestins like drospirenone, and progesterone receptor antagonists in reproductive health. Androgens are highlighted for their therapeutic applications in conditions like hypogonadism and androgenic alopecia, with a focus on testosterone derivatives and 5α-reductase inhibitors such as finasteride and dutasteride. The document concludes by mentioning the issue of anabolic steroid use among athletes and the potential for dependence, as well as the ongoing research into novel ligands for steroid hormone receptors.