Chapter 22 Medicinal Chemistry of steroids

In the human organism, steroids fulfill a diverse number of functions. The organs, where these steroids are formed, differ but the biosynthetic routes and the enzymes involved are similar or even identical so that inborn defects in these enzymes often affect the biosynthesis of a number of steroids. For this reason, the discussion of the biosynthesis of the steroid is discussed at length. In recent years molecular biology has succeeded in elucidating the structures of the enzymes involved, thus providing a much better understanding of congenital diseases affecting steroid metabolism. These results are a parat of the discussion. The biological functions and properties of the major natural steriods are also discussed and synthetic analogues used as therapeutics are mentioned. Examples of steroid drugs acting as antagonists or inhibitors of enzymes of the biosynthesis are also given.