17-ketotrilostane

Description

17-ketotrilostane is a **steroid biosynthesis inhibitor** that acts by blocking the enzyme **3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD)**. This enzyme is crucial for the synthesis of all steroid hormones, including testosterone, cortisol, and aldosterone.

Here's why 17-ketotrilostane is important for research:

* **Study of Steroid Hormone Regulation:** By inhibiting 3β-HSD, 17-ketotrilostane effectively reduces the production of various steroid hormones. This allows researchers to study the role of these hormones in various biological processes. For example, it can be used to investigate the effects of testosterone depletion on muscle growth, sexual behavior, and prostate health.
* **Development of New Drugs:** 17-ketotrilostane itself has been used as a medication for treating **congenital adrenal hyperplasia** (CAH), a condition where the body produces too much androgen. It can also be used as a tool to develop new drugs that target the steroid hormone synthesis pathway. This could lead to treatments for diseases like **prostate cancer, breast cancer, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)**.
* **Animal Models of Disease:** 17-ketotrilostane can be used to create animal models of diseases that involve steroid hormone imbalances. These models can then be used to study disease progression and test the efficacy of new treatments.
* **Research on Stress Response:** Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. 17-ketotrilostane can be used to reduce cortisol levels and investigate the role of stress in various physiological processes.

However, it's important to note that:

* **17-ketotrilostane has significant side effects.** These can include fatigue, headache, nausea, and liver damage.
* **It's not currently FDA approved for human use in the United States.** It's primarily used for research purposes.

Overall, 17-ketotrilostane is a valuable research tool that allows scientists to understand the complex role of steroid hormones in various biological processes. This knowledge can lead to the development of new treatments for a range of diseases.

17-ketotrilostane: metabolite of trilostane [Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), National Library of Medicine, extracted Dec-2023]