Description
Pregnenolone serves as the common precursor in the formation of the adrenocorticoids and other steroid
hormones. This C21 steroid is converted via enzymatic oxidations and isomerization of the double bond to a
number of physiologically active C21 steroids, including the female sex hormone progesterone and the
adrenocorticoids hydrocortisone (cortisol), corticosterone, and aldosterone. Oxidative cleavage of the
two-carbon side chain of pregnenolone and subsequent enzymatic oxidations and isomerization lead to C19
steroids, including the androgens testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. The final group of steroids, the C18
female sex hormones, are derived from oxidative aromatization of the A ring of androgens to produce estrogens.
Chemical Properties
white to off-white powder
Uses
glucocortcoid, antiinflammatory
Uses
Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone involved in the steroidogenesis of progesterone, mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens. As such it is a prohormone. Pregnenolone is a GABAA an
tagonist and increases neurogenesis in the hippocampus. It is a modulator of cytochrome P 450-3A
Definition
ChEBI: A 20-oxo steroid that is pregn-5-ene substituted by a beta-hydroxy group at position 3 and an oxo group at position 20.
General Description
Pregnenolone is an endogenous steroid hormone involved in the biological synthesis of other hormones. Pregnenolone is monitored as an ancillary test for congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), particularly in situations where diagnosis of 21-hydroxylase and 11-hydroxylase deficiency has been ruled out. This Certified Spiking Solution? is suitable for use in LC-MS/MS testing methods as a starting material in the preparation of calibrators, controls and linearity standards.
in vitro
pregnenolone is the precursor from which almost all of the other steroid hormones are made, including dhea, testosterone, progesterone, the estrogens and cortisol. pregnenolone also operates as a powerful neurosteroid in the brain, which modulates the transmission of messages from neuron to neuron and strongly influencing learning and memory processes [1].
in vivo
the ability of pregnenolone sulfate derivatives (pregs) to modulate the age-induced learning impairment was tested in 16- month-old mice using the step-down type of passive avoidance. decreased step-down latency was observed in the passive avoidance task in 16-month-old mice compared to 3-month-old mice, revealing retention deficits in old mice. pretraining injections of pregs dose-dependently improved the 24 h delay retention performances in this task in old mice [1].
References
[1] vallée m, mayo w, le moal m. role of pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone and their sulfate esters on learning and memory in cognitive aging. brain res brain res rev. 2001 nov;37(1-3):301-12.
