Pharmacology of androgens and antiandrogens Flashcards
Where are androgens secreted from?
testes, ovaries, adrenal cortex, adipose tissues (LITTLE BIT)
In the testes, what cels secrete testosterone?
Leydig cells
What are the 3 regions of the adrenal cortex and what do they secrete?
zona glomerulosa: mineralocorticoid secretion (aldosterone)
zona fasciculata: cortisol secretion
zona reticularis: androgen secretion
What are the 2 cell types in testes?
Leydig
Sertoli
What are the leydig cells and sertoli cells under the influence of?
Leydig- LH
Sertoli- FSH
Leydig cells release testosterone. What is the role of testosterone?
- stimulates sertoli cells for spermatogenesis
2. converted to DHT
What does FSH do?
act on sertoli cells:
spermatogenesis
releases AMH
release inhibin- inhibits FSH release from pituitary
What happens if there are no testosterone receptors in the body?
no negative feedback so high testosterone levels
high FSH and LH levels
no testosterone effects- so no male characteristics seen
What are the precursors of testosterone?
androstenedione and androstenediol
What does testosterone get metabolized to?
- androsterone and etiocholanolone
- dihydrotestosterone= under influence of 5 alpha reductase
- oestrogen= through aromatase
Can DHT be converted to oestrogen?
NO BITCH
Testosterone is converted to DHT in all cells except what?
muscles
What is testosterone converted to DHT by?
5 alpha reductase
What does DHT do?
external virilisation
sexual maturity at puberty
growth of prostate and penis at puberty
causes facial hair, acne, and temporal hairline recession particularly in males
hairline recession usually leads to more hair growing elsewhere
How can we treat prostate cancer?
prostate grows bc of DHT
so give 5 alpha reductase inhibitors
How to treat male baldness
DHT causes loss of hair
so give 5 alpha reductase inhibitors
There are 2 isotopes of enzyme 5 alpha reductase. What are they?
type 1: scalp and skin
type 2: genital skin and prostate
What happens with 5 alpha reductase deficiency?
AUTOSOMAL RECESSIVE testes can develop but NO PROSTATE FEMALE external genitalia puberty clitoris can enlarge at puberty with the testosterone rise, if testosterone receptors are there you can develop external male genitalia
What is male pseudo hermaphrotidism?
type 2 5 alpha reductase mutation
primary sexual characteristic different to secondary sexual characteristic
fertile (can be father) but female external genitalia
If DHT is not metabolised properly, what happens?
prostatic hyperplasia
this is when DHT is not metabolized completely, and thus there will be enlargement of the prostate
there may also be acne and hirsutism (excess hair)
What secondary characteristics are DHT and testosterone responsible for?
tall height more muscle deep voices- more larynx growth external virilisation more body hair more muscle bulk less subcutaneous fat so subcutaneous veins become more prominent
Give some names of androgens:
testosterone, nandrolone, oxymetholone, stanozolol
What is oxymethalone used for?
sold as anapolon or anadrol
treatment of anemia
What are the side effects if you abuse anabolic steroids?
hypertension and edema
cholestatic jaundice
SUPPRESS LH and FSH- smaller testicular size
premature closure of long epiphyseal bones
gynecomastia
increase muscle mass
acne
more agression
more LDL, less HDL- more vascular disease
What are the 2 main reasons for the development of internal and external genitalia to fail?
androgen insensitivity syndrome
21 hydroxylase deficiency
What happens in androgen insensitivity syndrome?
androgen is present but receptor isnt bc mutation in receptor
What are the symptoms of AIS?
XY with female genitalia
short vaginal length
testes in abdomen
no female internal genitalia
How is AIS treated?
remove testes
put patient on oestrogen therapy at puberty
if mild with male external genitalia give high testosterone
the patient is then assigned to the gender on which they feel more confortable
What is 21 hydroxylase deficiency?
congenital adrenal hyperplasia
What happens in CAH?
21 HYDROXYLASE makes mineralocorticoids, or glucocorticoids from progestogen
if deficient, progestogens build up
then get converted to testosterone
What are the symptoms of CAH?
females:
ambiguous genitalia
feminised testes
internal genitalia both male and female
males:
premature puberty
What is an example of synthetic GnRH?
gonadorelin