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( Prohormones)
A prohormone is a substance that is a precursor to a hormone, usually having minimal hormonal effect by itself. The term has been used in medical science since the middle of the 20th century. Examples of natural, human prohormones include proinsulin and pro-opiomelanocortin. For peptide hormones, the conversion process from prohormone to hormone typically occurs after export to the endoplasmic reticulum and often requires multiple processing enzymes. For example, proinsulin is processed by PC 1/2, PC 3, and carboxypeptidase E to afford insulin.[citation needed] Proamylin, which is cosecreted with proinsulin, requires the above three factors and an amidating monoxygenase. For small molecule hormones, the conversion is often one step, and is often used to regulate hormone levels. In the last two decades, prohormones have also been used by bodybuilders, athletes, and nonmedical users of anabolic steroids and other hormones to refer to substances that are expected to convert to active hormones in the body. The intent is to provide the putative benefits of taking an anabolic steroid without the legal risks, and to achieve the hoped-for benefits or advantages without use of anabolic steroids themselves. However, in USA, since prohormones are now listed alongside anabolic steroids themselves, they are classified as illegal and subject to the much tighter regulatory requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which apply to prescription hormones. The FDA moved to halt sales of androstenedione, a dietary supplement marketed as a muscle enhancer that officials said can stunt growth in children's penises and cause problematic sexual changes in adults. "This is a critical part of the FDA's broad crackdown on unsafe dietary supplements," said Dr. Mark McClellan, the FDA commissioner, at a news conference. "While andro products may seem to have short-term benefits, the science shows that these same properties create real and significant health risks."[1]
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Prohormones Subcategories
Prohormones Articles
Are Prohormones A Safe Alternative To Anabolic Steroids? by Rick Mitchell
Steroid prohormones such as androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) have become popular in recent years as safer alternatives to anabolic steroids, but two questions need to be answered:
1. Are they effective in stimu...
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