Androgeenide

Androgeenide is a term that may appear in some languages to denote compounds with androgenic activity. In English-language pharmacology, the standard terms are androgen and androgen receptor agonist; accordingly, androgeenide is rarely used and can be ambiguous. It is sometimes used to refer to substances that bind to the androgen receptor and elicit androgenic responses, including endogenous hormones and synthetic agonists.

Definition and scope: An androgenide-like substance refers to any chemical that activates the androgen receptor (AR) and produces androgenic effects. This includes natural hormones such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, as well as synthetic AR agonists developed for medical or research purposes.

Biological basis: The androgen receptor is a nuclear receptor that, when bound by a ligand, translocates to the nucleus and regulates gene expression. AR signaling influences male sexual development, reproductive tissue function, muscle mass, bone density, and various metabolic processes. Substances with androgenic activity can modulate these pathways depending on potency, selectivity, and tissue distribution.

Chemistry and pharmacology: Androgens are steroids derived from cholesterol. Synthetic AR agonists can be steroidal or non-steroidal. Some agents act as prohormones, being converted in tissues to active androgens. Metabolic processes, including 5α-reductase activity and hepatic metabolism, shape their potency and duration of action.

Uses and safety: Therapeutically, androgens treat hypogonadism and certain reproductive conditions, but their use requires careful medical supervision due to risks such as virilization, prostate effects, liver toxicity for some compounds, suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, and fertility implications. Regulatory controls apply to these substances in medicine and sports, and researchers use AR agonists to study signaling.

See also: Androgens; Androgen receptor; Anabolic steroids; Prohormones.