A Study Evaluating the Effects of Lipid Lowering Treatment on Steroid Synthesis
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2008-01-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Cholesterol is the precursor of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and sex steroids. Both
adrenal and non-adrenal (ovarian + testicular) all steroid hormones are primarily synthesized
using the LDL-cholesterol in the circulation. Additionally there is 'de novo' cholesterol
synthesis in both the adrenals and gonads controlled by the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme. A third
pathway is the use of circulatory HDL-cholesterol by the adrenal and gonadal tissues for the
synthesis of steroids. Since statins both decrease circulatory LDL and inhibit de novo
cholesterol synthesis, they are likely to affect the synthesis of steroid hormones. In this
study we aim to investigate the effects of lowering LDL levels below 70 mg/dL on steroid
hormone synthesis.