17α-Ethynyltestosterone

17α-Ethynyltestosterone, also known as ethisterone, is a synthetic, orally active androgen and anabolic steroid (AAS) and a derivative of testosterone. It is specifically a 17α-alkylated derivative of testosterone, which allows for oral administration. First synthesized in 1938, ethisterone was one of the first synthetic androgens and anabolic steroids developed and used medically. It has been utilized for a variety of medical conditions over the years, including as a component of some forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and for treating certain gynecological conditions.

Medical Uses

Ethisterone has been used in the past for a variety of medical applications. Its primary use has been in the treatment of gynecological disorders such as menstrual disorders, endometriosis, and to prevent miscarriages by supporting pregnancy through its progestogenic activity. However, its use has declined over the years with the development of more effective and safer progestins.

Pharmacology

Mechanism of Action

As an androgen and anabolic steroid, ethisterone acts as an agonist of the androgen receptor (AR), the biological target of androgens like testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Its effectiveness as a medication is primarily due to its progestogenic activity, which it exerts similarly to other progestins, though it is not a progestin itself but rather an androgen and anabolic steroid with some progestogenic activity.

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacokinetics of ethisterone, being a 17α-alkylated steroid, allow for oral bioavailability, a characteristic that is not present in most other testosterone derivatives. This modification helps the drug resist metabolism in the liver, thus increasing its effectiveness when taken by mouth.

History

Ethisterone was synthesized in 1938, making it one of the first synthetic steroids to be developed. Its development marked a significant milestone in the field of synthetic androgens and anabolic steroids, paving the way for the development of other synthetic steroids. Despite its historical significance, the clinical use of ethisterone has largely been superseded by newer medications with improved safety and efficacy profiles.

Society and Culture

While ethisterone played a significant role in the early development of synthetic androgens and anabolic steroids, its use today is limited. It has been largely replaced in clinical practice by more modern medications. However, its contribution to the fields of endocrinology and gynecology, particularly in the understanding and treatment of hormonal disorders, remains an important part of medical history.