Androstenedione (a Natural Steroid and a Drug Supplement): A Comprehensive Review of Its Consumption, Metabolism, Health Effects, and Toxicity with Sex Differences

Androstenedione (a Natural Steroid and a Drug Supplement) : A Comprehensive Review of Its Consumption, Metabolism, Health Effects, and Toxicity with Sex Differences / Marwa T. Badawy, Mansour Sobeh, Jianbo Xiao, Mohamed A. Farag. - (Molecules 26 (2021) 20 (14 October) 6210; p. 1-16)

  • PMID: 34684800
  • PMCID: PMC8539210
  • DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206210


Abstract

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.

Original document

Parameters

Science
Review
Date
14 October 2021
People
Badawy, Marwa T.
Farag, Mohamed A.
Sobeh, Mansour
Xiao Jianbo
Country
China
Egypt
Morocco
Spain
Language
English
Other organisations
American University in Cairo (AUC)
Cairo University
Jiangsu University
Mohammed VI Polytechnic University
Universidade de Vigo - University of Vigo
Doping classes
S1. Anabolic Agents
Substances
Androstenedione (androst-4-ene-3,17-dione)
Medical terms
Health effects
Various
Supplements
Document category
Scientific article
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Pdf file
Date generated
3 November 2021
Date of last modification
12 November 2021
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  • Legal Source
  • Education
  • Science
  • Statistics
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  • Country
  • Language
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  • ADRV
  • Legal Terms
  • Sport/IFs
  • Other organisations
  • Laboratories
  • Analytical aspects
  • Doping classes
  • Substances
  • Medical terms
  • Various
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  • Document category
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Origin