Summary
17α-Propylmesterolone is a new synthetic 5α-reduced steroid with a propyl group in C-17 position and a methyl group in the A ring. The antiandrogenic action of 17α-propylmesterolone on the sebaceous glands, testes weights and plasma testosterone concentrations were examined in the animal model of the Syrian hamster. The substance was given systemically (3, 5 or 10 mg/kg) and topically (3 or 5 mg/kg).
17α-propylmesterolone reduced both sebaceous gland size and sebogenesis significantly in a dose-dependent manner. The topical administration was more effective than the systemic treatment.
There was no influence of 17α-propylmesterolone on testosterone concentration in plasma or testes weights although a diminished capacity or absence of free cytoplasmatic androgen receptor sites was detected in the sebaceous glands of the systematically or topically treated Syrian hamster.
17α-Propylmesterolone exerts a potent topical sebosuppressive effect in the animal model. These findings should give rise to human studies and clinical trials.
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Luderschmidt, C., Eiermann, W., Jawny, J. et al. 17α-Propylmesterolone (SH 434): an antiandrogenic sebosuppressive substance not influencing circulating testosterone concentrations. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 328, 214–218 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00512076
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00512076