Androstenedione (a Natural Steroid and a Drug Supplement): A Comprehensive Review of Its Consumption, Metabolism, Health Effects, and Toxicity with Sex Differences
Androstenedione is a steroidal hormone produced in male and female gonads, as well as in the adrenal glands, and it is known for its key role in the production of estrogen and testosterone. Androstenedione is also sold as an oral supplement, that is being utilized to increase testosterone levels. Si...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/20/6210 |
| _version_ | 1797513699842326528 |
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| author | Marwa T. Badawy Mansour Sobeh Jianbo Xiao Mohamed A. Farag |
| author_facet | Marwa T. Badawy Mansour Sobeh Jianbo Xiao Mohamed A. Farag |
| author_sort | Marwa T. Badawy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Androstenedione is a steroidal hormone produced in male and female gonads, as well as in the adrenal glands, and it is known for its key role in the production of estrogen and testosterone. Androstenedione is also sold as an oral supplement, that is being utilized to increase testosterone levels. Simply known as “andro” by athletes, it is commonly touted as a natural alternative to anabolic steroids. By boosting testosterone levels, it is thought to be an enhancer for athletic performance, build body muscles, reduce fats, increase energy, maintain healthy RBCs, and increase sexual performance. Nevertheless, several of these effects are not yet scientifically proven. Though commonly used as a supplement for body building, it is listed among performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) which is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, as well as the International Olympic Committee. This review focuses on the action mechanism behind androstenedione’s health effects, and further side effects including clinical features, populations at risk, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and toxicokinetics. A review of androstenedione regulation in drug doping is also presented. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:20:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8cd1187013ad446dbf12f3b3131447e4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:20:15Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-8cd1187013ad446dbf12f3b3131447e42023-11-22T19:19:56ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492021-10-012620621010.3390/molecules26206210Androstenedione (a Natural Steroid and a Drug Supplement): A Comprehensive Review of Its Consumption, Metabolism, Health Effects, and Toxicity with Sex DifferencesMarwa T. Badawy0Mansour Sobeh1Jianbo Xiao2Mohamed A. Farag3Department of Biology, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo 11835, EgyptAgroBioSciences, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, Ben-Guerir 43150, MoroccoInternational Research Center for Food Nutrition and Safety, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, ChinaPharmacognosy Department, College of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Kasr el Aini St., Cairo P.B. 11562, EgyptAndrostenedione is a steroidal hormone produced in male and female gonads, as well as in the adrenal glands, and it is known for its key role in the production of estrogen and testosterone. Androstenedione is also sold as an oral supplement, that is being utilized to increase testosterone levels. Simply known as “andro” by athletes, it is commonly touted as a natural alternative to anabolic steroids. By boosting testosterone levels, it is thought to be an enhancer for athletic performance, build body muscles, reduce fats, increase energy, maintain healthy RBCs, and increase sexual performance. Nevertheless, several of these effects are not yet scientifically proven. Though commonly used as a supplement for body building, it is listed among performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) which is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, as well as the International Olympic Committee. This review focuses on the action mechanism behind androstenedione’s health effects, and further side effects including clinical features, populations at risk, pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and toxicokinetics. A review of androstenedione regulation in drug doping is also presented.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/20/6210androstenedionehealth effectstoxicitypharmacokineticsmetabolismdrug interaction |
| spellingShingle | Marwa T. Badawy Mansour Sobeh Jianbo Xiao Mohamed A. Farag Androstenedione (a Natural Steroid and a Drug Supplement): A Comprehensive Review of Its Consumption, Metabolism, Health Effects, and Toxicity with Sex Differences Molecules androstenedione health effects toxicity pharmacokinetics metabolism drug interaction |
| title | Androstenedione (a Natural Steroid and a Drug Supplement): A Comprehensive Review of Its Consumption, Metabolism, Health Effects, and Toxicity with Sex Differences |
| title_full | Androstenedione (a Natural Steroid and a Drug Supplement): A Comprehensive Review of Its Consumption, Metabolism, Health Effects, and Toxicity with Sex Differences |
| title_fullStr | Androstenedione (a Natural Steroid and a Drug Supplement): A Comprehensive Review of Its Consumption, Metabolism, Health Effects, and Toxicity with Sex Differences |
| title_full_unstemmed | Androstenedione (a Natural Steroid and a Drug Supplement): A Comprehensive Review of Its Consumption, Metabolism, Health Effects, and Toxicity with Sex Differences |
| title_short | Androstenedione (a Natural Steroid and a Drug Supplement): A Comprehensive Review of Its Consumption, Metabolism, Health Effects, and Toxicity with Sex Differences |
| title_sort | androstenedione a natural steroid and a drug supplement a comprehensive review of its consumption metabolism health effects and toxicity with sex differences |
| topic | androstenedione health effects toxicity pharmacokinetics metabolism drug interaction |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/20/6210 |
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