title: Plasma androsterone/epiandrosterone sulfates as markers of 5 alpha-reductase activity: effect of finasteride in normal men.
abstract: Plasma androsterone/epiandrosterone sulfates, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, androstenedione, and cortisol were measured in three normal adult men before and following finasteride administration (5 mg/day). Plasma androsterone/epiandrosterone sulfates and dihydrotestosterone declined in parallel to 50% of basal levels with little change in either dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, cortisol, or androstenedione. The results suggest that the direct measurement of plasma androsterone/epiandrosterone sulfates by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay provide similar information to plasma dihydrotestosterone and therefore provide a simple alternative for the assessment of 5 alpha-reductase activity.
authors.affiliation: Steroid & Immunobiochemistry Laboratory, Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Elder
mesh_terms: D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D000328:Adult; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D000738:Androsterone / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018120:Finasteride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013431:Sulfates / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D015415:Biomarkers; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D013431:Sulfates; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D018120:Finasteride; D000738:Androsterone; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase; D006854:Hydrocortisone