11α-hydroxyprogesterone

11α-hydroxyprogesterone is an endogenous steroid and a metabolite of progesterone. It functions as a **potent competitive inhibitor of both isoforms (1 and 2) of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD)**, blocking the conversion of active glucocorticoids to inactive metabolites and thereby permitting activation of mineralocorticoid receptors by endogenous corticosteroids. This leads to increased sodium retention and elevated blood pressure in animal models. Unlike other related steroids, it has no significant androgenic, estrogenic, or progestogenic activity, but does exhibit weak antiandrogen effects. It was investigated as a topical antiandrogen in the 1950s for skin disorders and more recently patented for psoriasis in combination therapy. Additionally, it serves as a chemical precursor for cortisone and hydrocortisone synthesis and is actively used in endocrine research, fertility treatments, and veterinary reproductive health[1][2][3][4][5][7][8].

Other names

11α-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione