Molecular Mechanisms of Steroid Hormone Action—2nd Edition

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Endocrinology and Metabolism Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 3548

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Guest Editor
1. Chair of Active Ageing, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
2. Frailty and Cognitive Impairment—FROG Research Group, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
Interests: cognitive impairment; frailty syndrome; neurodevelopemntal disorders; depression; neuropathy; sleep; envirnomental factors; comorbidty; immune alterations; metabolic alterations; biomarkers
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleague,

Steroid hormones are a versatile and structurally diverse class of molecules. They exert their effects as hormones, as cellular building material, and as signaling molecules in multiple processes. Recent studies have shown that steroids have pleiotropic effects and previously unknown physiological functions. They are involved in disease pathophysiology and play a pivotal role in inflammatory processes. Steroid-based therapy is frequently used in the treatment of several disorders, such as endocrine disorders, auto-immune diseases, inflammatory disorders, and cancer. Consolidated pharmacological approaches, as well as new clinical indications, are emerging for steroid-based therapy, and basic studies on their new mechanisms of action are warranted. This Special Issue is devoted to providing an update on research into steroid actions in the body and steroid-based therapy, from molecular perspectives to preclinical and clinical studies.

Dr. Omar Cauli
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • oestrogen
  • androgens
  • thyroid
  • adrenal gland
  • menopause
  • cancer

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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17 pages, 2449 KiB  
Article
Endocrine-Disrupting Activities of Flavones on Steroid Receptors: Structural Requirements and Synthesis of Novel Flavone with Improved Estrogenic Activity
by Steven K. Nordeen, Vijay Kumar, Betty J. Bona, Joshua D. Batson, Donald S. Backos and Michael F. Wempe
Biomedicines 2025, 13(3), 748; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13030748 - 19 Mar 2025
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Flavonoids are common ubiquitous components of plants and are consumed by humans and livestock in their diets. Many different activities have been proposed for a variety of flavonoids that play a role in the benefits of a plant-rich diet. On the downside, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Flavonoids are common ubiquitous components of plants and are consumed by humans and livestock in their diets. Many different activities have been proposed for a variety of flavonoids that play a role in the benefits of a plant-rich diet. On the downside, excessive exposure to some flavonoids comes with a risk of endocrine disruption. Our objective was to define the structural elements of flavones and selected other flavonoids required for endocrine-disrupting activities on each of four steroid receptors, estrogen, androgen, progesterone, and glucocorticoid receptors. Methods: This work presents a systematic screen for the hormone agonist or antagonist activity of a selected panel of flavonoids on estrogen, androgen, progesterone, and glucocorticoid receptors. The screen is focused on the positional requirements of hydroxyl substituents on the flavone backbone. Results: Each receptor exhibited a distinct pattern for structural requirements of the flavones to impact receptor signaling. The most active flavones exhibited antagonist activity on androgen and progesterone receptors with an IC50 of 0.5 and 2 µM, respectively. Flavones only exhibited weak antagonism on glucocorticoid receptors. When active, flavones acted as estrogen receptor agonists. The findings were utilized to design and synthesize a novel flavone, 3-fluoro, 6,4′-dihydroxyflavone 14, that displays increased potency as an estrogen agonist (EC50~30 nM). Modeling of the binding of this novel flavone predicts increased preference for ERα versus ERβ relative to the estrogenic phytoestrogen, genistein. Conclusions: The structural requirements for flavones to act as estrogen agonists and antagonists of other steroid receptors are defined. The synthesis of a novel flavone offers potential for topical applications where systemic estrogen activity is undesired. However, the results highlight the potential for endocrine disruption when certain flavones are consumed in quantity as supplements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Steroid Hormone Action—2nd Edition)
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Review

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23 pages, 1415 KiB  
Review
Molecular, Pathophysiological, and Clinical Aspects of Corticosteroid-Induced Neuropsychiatric Effects: From Bench to Bedside
by Sara Sofía-Avendaño-Lopez, Angela Johanna Rodríguez-Marín, Mateo Lara-Castillo, Juanita Agresott-Carrillo, Luna Estefanía Lara-Cortés, Juan Felipe Sánchez-Almanzar, Sophya Villamil-Cruz, Luis Carlos Rojas-Rodríguez, Daniel Felipe Ariza-Salamanca, Mariana Gaviria-Carrillo, Carlos Alberto Calderon-Ospina and Jesús Rodríguez-Quintana
Biomedicines 2024, 12(9), 2131; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12092131 - 19 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2321
Abstract
Corticosteroids are frequently prescribed across medical disciplines, yet they are associated with various adverse effects, including neuropsychiatric symptoms, documented since their introduction over 60 years ago. The cellular mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric symptoms are complex and somewhat obscure, involving multiple pathways. Notably, they include [...] Read more.
Corticosteroids are frequently prescribed across medical disciplines, yet they are associated with various adverse effects, including neuropsychiatric symptoms, documented since their introduction over 60 years ago. The cellular mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric symptoms are complex and somewhat obscure, involving multiple pathways. Notably, they include changes in excitability, cellular death of hippocampal and striatal neurons, and increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Clinical presentation varies, encompassing affective disorders (anxiety, euphoria, depression), psychotic episodes, and cognitive deficits. It is crucial to note that these manifestations often go unnoticed by treating physicians, leading to delayed detection of severe symptoms, complications, and underreporting. Discontinuation of corticosteroids constitutes the cornerstone of treatment, resolving symptoms in up to 80% of cases. Although the literature on this topic is scant, isolated cases and limited studies have explored the efficacy of psychotropic medications for symptomatic control and prophylaxis. Pharmacological intervention may be warranted in situations where corticosteroid reduction or withdrawal is not feasible or beneficial for the patient. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Steroid Hormone Action—2nd Edition)
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