Natural antiglucocorticoids

Czech version

Authors: R. Hampl; K. Vondra
Authors‘ workplace: Endokrinologický ústav, Praha, ředitel doc. MUDr. Vojtěch Hainer, CSc.
Published in: Vnitř Lék 2006; 52(10): 973-978
Category: Review

Overview

Dehydroepiandrosterone, as a sulfate after cholesterol the most abundant circulating steroid displays a number of remarkable actions, especially on immune system, where it counteracts immunosuppressive effects of glucocorticoids. Recently it has been found that in some instances the locally active agents are 7-oxygenated metabolites of this steroid, so far believed to be only degradation products. In the survey so far known effects of dehydroepaindrosterone and its metabolites are summarized on cytokine production, activation of apoptosis, their influence on macrophage migration into affected peripheral tissues, their plausible effect on angiogenesis, effects of inflammatory mediators-metabolites of arachidonic acid, and their role in the mechanism of oxidative stress. Where known, the molecular mechanisms are mentioned, staying behind these events.

Key words:
endogenic antiglucocorticoids - dehydroepiandrosterone - metabolites

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