Steroids

Dear Colleagues,

Steroid research has a long and brilliant history. It has helped us to understand vital and fatal processes in our bodies, to develop efficient drugs and pharmaceutical preparations, to manage age dependent athropies etc. In spite of that, steroid research is continuing its triumph. As examples can be mentioned recent genomic studies of primitive animals which has provided important data for understanding the origins of enzymes that synthesize adrenal and sex steroids and the receptors that mediate physiological response to these vertebrate steroids. Another new discovery is the hormonal activity of bile acids which means that their physiological role is much larger than as fat solubilizing agents alone. Further, steroidal conjugates of drug molecules can act as proper prodrugs via enterohepatic circulation or various types of steroid receptors. Steroidal supramolecular gels and micellar systems can be very valuable in developing pharmaceutical preparations as well. Taking into account the increased morbidity connected with obesity (diabetes, vascular disease, cancer etc.) in developed countries, functional food supplies based on phytosterols can be of great value. A basic aim of this "Steroids" special issue is to collect papers on the above mentioned new trends in steroid research but also other steroidal studies are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Erkki Kolehmainen
Guest Editor

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