Esteroideas

Esteroideas is not a widely used scientific term. In many contexts, the word is a misspelling or variation of esteroides, the Spanish term for steroids. Steroids are a diverse group of organic compounds sharing a common four-ring structure (cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene). They occur naturally in animals, plants, and fungi, and can be synthesized for medical and industrial use.

Classification and examples: Natural steroids include cholesterol, bile acids, and steroid hormones such as estrogens, androgens, progesterone, glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids. Synthetic steroids include corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone), anabolic steroids (testosterone analogs), and synthetic estrogens and progestins. Steroids are lipophilic and typically act by crossing cell membranes and binding to intracellular receptors, influencing gene expression.

Biosynthesis and sources: In animals, steroids derive from cholesterol via enzymatic transformations in the mevalonate pathway, producing pregnenolone and further products. In plants, phytosterols serve similar structural roles and can be converted into brassinosteroids and other steroid-like compounds.

Uses and risks: Medical uses include anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive therapies, hormone replacement, and treatment of endocrine disorders. Anabolic steroids are used legally in some contexts to promote muscle growth; illegal use is associated with sports doping. Potential side effects vary by compound and dose and can include metabolic, cardiovascular, liver, and hormonal disturbances; prolonged use may suppress natural hormone production and cause long-term health issues.

History: The study of steroids developed across the late 19th and 20th centuries, with the isolation of cholesterol and the identification of steroid hormones guiding the development of synthetic corticosteroids in the mid-20th century.