Shared Flashcard Set

Details

Androgens: RHT
Androgens
17
Medical
Undergraduate 4
03/23/2009

Additional Medical Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term

Androgens

What is it?

What does it do?  

Definition

• the principal androgen synthesized is testosterone

 

• androgen receptor is a nuclear hormone receptor that recruits co-activators or co-repressors, binds androgen response elements in genes to increase or decrease gene expression

 

• conversion of testosterone to:

– estrogen, via the aromatase pathway

• this pathway is responsible for most estradiol in men

• estrogen increases bone density in men, causes gynecomastia

– dihydrotestosterone, via 5-alpha reductase

• dihydrotestosterone is a more potent and efficacious androgen receptor agonist than is testosterone

Term
Effects of Androgen during puberty
Definition
  • Puberty: (there is a rapid increase of Testosterone)
    • increased muscle mass and strength
    • increased epiphyseal bone growth (growth spurt) and bone mineral density
    • increased bodily, facial hair
    • deepening of voice
    • darkening of skin
    • acne
    • stimulate erythropoiesis
    • maturation of reproductive organs; sperm production
Term
Effects of Androgen in Adults
Definition

*Then the levels of testosterone peak around the ages of 25 -30 then decline throughout the rest of life

Adults:

– male pattern baldness

– growth of prostate gland

• development of BPH (compression of urethra as it passes through prostate)

– prostate cancer

• Initially androgen-dependent, then becomes androgen-independent

Term

Therapeutic uses of androgens

Definition
  • Replacement therapy
    •  post-menopausal females also receiving estrogens
    • male hypogonadism (testosterone deficiency)
    • male senescence (reduced androgens with age)
      • restores libido, fertility, muscle mass, strength, bone density

• AIDS-related muscle wasting

    -increases muscle mass and strength

Term

Testorsterone as Hormone Replacement Therapy

(there are 6)

Definition

*High First pass Metabolism so cant give it orally

  • IM Depo Testosterone
  • Trandsdermal: Androderm patch
  • Topical gel: ANdrogel and Testim

Gels give a more contant levels than patch. If females come in close contact to gel then it will ab absorded and will lead to female virilization (hirsutism, acne, deepening of voice)

  • Methyltestosterone
  • Flyoxymmesterone
Term

Anabolic Steriods

(there are 4)

Definition

– oxandrolone

– oxymetholone

– stanozolol (Winstrol)

– nandrolone (Deca Durabolin)

Term

Anabolic Steriods

uses?

MOA?

ADR?

 

Definition

*AKA:  17-alpha-alkylated compounds

*designed for greater anabolic effects than testosterone

*lower first-pass metabolism, less conversion to estrogen

  • indicated for treating anemia, bone pain in osteoporosis and increasing weight
  • misused for performance enhancing effects
  • Adverse effects
    • hepatotoxicity (peliosis hepatis: the hepatoctyes and some spleen cells are replaced with blood filled sacs)
    • hepatocyte tumors (benign and malignant)
    • increased LDL, reduced HDL
      • increases risk of heart diseasee
    • gynecomastia
    • feedback inhibition: testicular atrophy, decreased sperm production and fertility
Term

Danocrine

 

Definition
  • Weak synthetic androgen
  • Reduces FSH, LH and therefore testosterone and estrogen production via feedback inhibition
  • Treats endometriosis in females
    • reduction in estrogen production reduces endometrial proliferation

• Adverse effects

– Thromboembolic events

– Intracranial hypertension

– Peliosis hepatis

– Increased LDL, reduced HDL

– Contraindicated in pregnancy

• Androgenic effect on female fetus

Term

Androgen Deprivation Therapy

Definition
  • Blocking the effects of testosterone to treat androgen-dependent conditions:
    • androgen-dependent prostate cancer
    • benign prostatic hypertrophy

• Four pharmacological approaches:

– GnRH receptor antagonists

– GnRH receptor agonists

– 5-alpha reductase inhibitors

– Androgen receptor antagonists

Term

GnRH Receptor Antagonist

Definition

*Antagonism of GnRH receptors reduces LH release and thus testosterone synthesis

 

  • Abarelix
    • Rx to treat prostate cancer
    • ADR:
      • histamine release from mast cells
      • severe hypersensitivity reactions
        • Limited adminstration by specialized physicians

 

Term

GnRH Receptor Agonists

What are they?

WHat do the they?

Uses?

 

Definition

*The idea behind this drug is that over time the agonist will actually desensitized the GnRH receptor. That is why GnRH is only released in a pulsatile manner, if released in a continous fashion, it will result in desensitization.

• Agonists cause an initial transient increase in gonadotropins and thus testosterone production

• Over the next few weeks, agonists down-regulate the GnRH receptor and effector system

– Long-term suppression of gonadotropin secretion

– Long-term suppression of testosterone and estrogen production

 

– Indicated for treatment of:

• prostate cancer

• advanced breast cancer

• precocious puberty (premature sexual maturation)

• endometriosis

Term

GnRH Receptor Angonist

Drugs

ADR

 

Definition

Peptides: leuprolide (Lupron), nafarelin, goserelin, buserelin, histrelin, triptorelin

 

*Symptoms worsen during the first month due to

receptor stimulation

 

• Depot injections or implants for long-term effects, also intranasal administration

 

• Adverse effects:

– menopause like effects in men and women

  • Hot flashes, night sweating, reduced libido

– reduced bone density

– may add back
low doses of progestins/estrogens to minimize these

– memory loss (reversible)

– Category X: fetal abnormalities

Term

5-alpha reductase inhibitors

What is it?

Uses?

AdR?

 

Definition

*Also classified as Androgen Deprivation Therapy

*will inhibit the conversion of testosterone to potent Dihydrotestosterone

*So the levels of Tesoterone will not change but the effects will bc we are blcoking the potent metabolite

 

There are two types of 5-ARi

-Type 1: located on skin

-Type2: located in prostate and Hair Follicles

      -Rx for BH

       -Rx for baldness (propecia)

 

Reduces size of prostate gland and reduces PSA levels

– 6 to 12 months for effects

– used along with an alpha-1 receptor antagonist (FLOMAX) - it only relaxes the smooth muscles of prostate to reduce Sx of urethra and does not reduce prostate size

 

ADR:

-cannot donate blood

-reduced libido

-reduce fertility

-if female absorbs it, it will adversely affect male fetus

 

 

Term

Finasteride

Definition

*5-Alpha Reductase inhibitor

  • more selective for type II
  • Rx for Propecia (male pattern baldness)
  • Proscar-Rx for BPH
Term
Avodart®
Definition

Duasteride (5-Alpha-reductase)

  • inhibits type I and II
  • Rx for BPH
Term

Androgen receptor antagonists

Definition

"Androgen Deprovation therapy"  

• block androgen receptors in prostate to reduce prostate growth and treat prostate cancer

 

• unlike GnRH receptor inhibitors, these also block the effects of circulating androgen produced by adrenal gland

 

• blocking negative feedback in hypothalamus and pituitary gland can increase LH and testosterone production

– often combine a GnRH receptor inhibitor

 

• Can cause gynecomastia bc testosterone is converted to estrogen

Term

Androgen Receptor Antagonist

Drugs

Definition

• flutamide (Eulexin): hepatotoxicity

 

• bicalutamide (Casodex): less hepatotoxic

 

• nilutamide (Nilandron): visual disturbances, alcohol intolerance

Supporting users have an ad free experience!