title: Antiandrogens.
abstract: Many antiandrogens, mainly steroidal and some nonsteroidal agents, have been synthesized and tested in several available biological assays. Unfortunately, many of these compounds have other biological activities which make it difficult to ascertain the precise mechanism of antiandrogenic action. The blocking of androgen action can be accomplished by a number of ways: (1) the inhibition of gonadotropin release and/or synthesis, (2) the interference with testosterone and/or dihydrotestosterone biosynthesis, (3) the blocking of protein synthesis, and (4) the competition with androgens at receptor sites. Although the major reason for the development of antiandrogens is to utilize them in certain clinical situations, some have become important tools in studying androgen action, particularly on the molecular level. The clinical effectiveness of some antiandrogens in prostatic hyperplasias, hirsutism, and acne represents an important advance in therapeutics, but the search for more potent antiandrogens with minimal side effects should continue.
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000188:drug therapy; D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D003129:Comb and Wattles / Q000187:drug effects; D003534:Cyproterone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D005485:Flutamide / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000187:drug effects; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D010797:Phthalimides / Q000494:pharmacology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D012627:Sebaceous Glands / Q000187:drug effects; D012629:Sebum / Q000187:drug effects; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy; D013256:Steroids / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D010797:Phthalimides; D013256:Steroids; D011374:Progesterone; D005485:Flutamide; D003534:Cyproterone