Steroids JenniferKettel
Steroids JenniferKettel
Steroids JenniferKettel
Jennifer Kettel Professor John Buynak CHEM 5398 March 27, 2007
Introduction
Estrogens Progestins Hormone Contraceptives
Combination Contraceptives Progestin-Only Contraceptives Emergency Contraceptives
Estrogens
A group of steroid hormones that readily diffuse across the cell membrane Inside the cell, they interact with estrogen receptors
D A
Estriol
Estradiol
Estrone
Estrogen Synthesis
Estrogen is produced primarily by developing follicles in the ovaries, the corpus luteum, and the placenta Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulate the production of estrogen in the ovaries Some estrogens are also produced in smaller amounts by other tissues such as the liver, adrenal glands, and the breasts The ovaries are the principal source of circulating estrogen in premenopausal women, with estrodiol being the main secretory product In postmenopausal women, the principal circulating estrogen estrone, which is synthesized from dehydroepiandrosterone and secreted by the adrenals
Estrogen Synthesis
The most potent naturally occurring estrogen in humans for both the Estrogen Receptor alpha- and beta-mediated actions is 17beta-estradiol, followed by estrone and estriol Each estrogen contains a phenolic A ring with a hydroxyl group at carbon 3 and a beta-OH or ketone in position 17 of ring D The phenolic A ring is the principal structural feature responsible for selective, high-affinity binding to both receptors Synthesis of estrogen begins from the synthesis of androstenedione from cholesterol Androstenedione crosses the basal membrane into surrounding granulosa cells, where its converted to estrone or estradiol wither immediately or through testosterone The conversion is catalyzed by aromatase
Biosynthetic Pathway
This figure shows the major metabolic intermediates in the usual synthesis of estrogen, starting with cholesterol, proceeding to pregnenolone, an androgen, and then estrogen.
http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Di-Fa/Estrogen.html
Estrogen Receptors
Estrogens exert their effects by interaction with receptors that are members of the super family of nuclear receptors The two estrogen receptor (ER) genes are located on separate chromosomes: ESR1 encodes ER-alpha and ESR2 encodes ERbeta Both ERs are estrogen-dependent nuclear transcription factors that have different tissue distributions and transcriptional regulatory effects on target genes Both ERs are ligand-activated transcription factors that increase or decrease the transcription of target genes After entering the cell by passive diffusion through the plasma membrane, the hormone binds to an ER in the nucleus In the nucleus, the ER is present as an inactive monomer bound to heat-shock proteins, and upon binding estrogen, a change in ER confirmation dissociates the heat-shock proteins and causes receptor dimerization, which increases the affinity and the rate of receptor binding to DNA
Progestins
Progestins include the naturally occurring hormone progesterone, 17-acetoxyprogesterone derivatives in the pregnane series, 19-nortestosterone derivatives (estranges), and norgestrel and related compounds in the gonane series
progesterone
17-acetoxyprogesterone
19-nortestosterone
norgestrel
levonorgestrel
Anti-progestins
Anti-progestin, first discovered in 1981, is mifepristone, used to terminate pregnancy In the presence of progesterone, mifepristone acts as a competitive receptor antagonist for both progesterone receptors When administered in the early stages of pregnancy, mifepristone causes decidual breakdown by blocking uterine progesterone receptors, which leads to detachment of the blastocyst, decreasing hCG production
Mifepristone
Hormonal Contraceptives
Brief History
At the beginning of the 20th century, European scientists (Beard, Prenant, and Loeb) developed the concept that secretions of the corpus luteum suppressed ovulation during pregnancy By the 1930s, scientists had isolated and determined the structure of the steroid hormones and found that high doses of androgens, estrogens or progesterone inhibited ovulation
History cont.
In June 1957, the FDA approved Enovid 10mg for menstrual disorders Later, in May 1960, the FDA approved Enovid for contraceptive use Although the FDA approved this drug for contraceptive use, it was not available to married women in all states until 1965 and unmarried women in all states until 1975
Combination Contraceptives
This type is the most frequently used in the United States, which contain both an estrogen and a progestin The theoretical efficacy is 99.9% Ethinyl estradiol (a synthetic estrogen) and mestranol are the estrogens most frequently used Levonorgestrel is the most common progestin used worldwide Currently, this type of contraceptives have lowered doses of estrogen (low-dose)
Combination Contraceptives
Mechanism of Action
Act by preventing ovulation Measurements of plasma hormone levels indicate that LH and FSH levels are suppressed The mid-cycle surge of LH is absent Endogenous steroid levels are diminished Thus, ovulation does not occur The multiple actions of estrogens and progestins on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis during the menstrual cycle and the efficacy of these agents all contribute to the blockade of ovulation
Progestin-Only Contraceptives
They contain progestins only, termed mini pills Slightly less effective, with 99% efficacy Forms Pills Injectables Their effectiveness is thought to be due largely to a thickening of cervical mucus, which decreases sperm penetration and impairs implantation
Emergency Contraceptives
The FDA has approved two preparations PLAN-B includes 2 doses of levonorgestrel separated by 12 hours (progestin-only) PREVEN is a 2 pill dose of a high-dose oral contraceptive (levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol) separated by 12 hours The first dose of these drugs should be taken 72 hours after intercourse
PLAN B
Emergency Contraceptives
Multiple mechanisms are likely to contribute to the efficacy of these agents, however, the exact mechanism is unknown These mechanisms include: Ovulation is inhibited or delayed, alterations in endometrial receptivity for implantation Interference with functions of the corpus luteum that maintain pregnancy Production of a cervical mucus that decreases sperm penetration Alterations in tubular transport of sperm, egg, or embryo Effects on fertilization Emergency contraceptives do not interrupt pregnancy after implantation
Side Effects
Many side effects were found to be dose dependent, hence the development of the current low-dose preparations Side effects include: Cardiovascular effects (hypertension, myocardial infarction, hemorrhagic stroke, venous thrombosis) Breast, Hepatocellular, and Cervical Cancers Endocrine and Metabolic effects Currently, its found that the low-dose preparations pose minimal health risks in women who have no predisposing risk factors