Human Steroid Biosynthesis, Metabolism and Excretion Are Differentially Reflected by Serum and Urine Steroid Metabolomes: A Comprehensive Review

Overview

Journal J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol

Specialties Biochemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2019 Jul 31

PMID 31362062

Citations 125

Authors

Lina Schiffer

Lise Barnard

Elizabeth S Baranowski

Lorna C Gilligan

Angela E Taylor

Wiebke Arlt

Cedric H L Shackleton

Karl-Heinz Storbeck

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Advances in technology have allowed for the sensitive, specific, and simultaneous quantitative profiling of steroid precursors, bioactive steroids and inactive metabolites, facilitating comprehensive characterization of the serum and urine steroid metabolomes. The quantification of steroid panels is therefore gaining favor over quantification of single marker metabolites in the clinical and research laboratories. However, although the biochemical pathways for the biosynthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones are now well defined, a gulf still exists between this knowledge and its application to the measured steroid profiles. In this review, we present an overview of steroid hormone biosynthesis and metabolism by the liver and peripheral tissues, specifically highlighting the pathways linking and differentiating the serum and urine steroid metabolomes. A brief overview of the methodology used in steroid profiling is also provided.

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