BIOCHEM LEC
Steroid- a group of plant and animal lipids that
contains this tetracyclic ring structure
Hormones
 is a biochemical substance produced
by a ductless gland that has a
messenger function
 serve as a means of communication
between various tissues
 some hormones are lipid
 the lipids that play the role of
“chemical messenger” include
Steroid hormones (derivatives of
cholesterol) Eicosanoids (derivatives
of arachidonic acid)
Two major classes of steroid hormones
 sex hormones- control reproduction and
secondary sex characteristics
 adrenocorticoid hormones- control
numerous biochemical processes in the
body
Sex hormones (3 major groups)
 estrogens- female sex hormones
 androgens- male sex hormones
 progestins- pregnancy hormones
Adrenocorticoid hormones
 produced by the adrenal glands- small
organs located on top of each kidney
 28 different hormones have been
isolated from the adrenal cortex
Two types of adrenocorticoid hormones
 Mineralocorticoids- control the balance
of Na and K ions in cell
 Glucocorticoids- control glucose
metabolism and counteract
inflammation
Eicosanoids arachidonic acid (20:4) derivatives
 Have profound physiological effects at
extremely low concentrations
 Eicosanoids are hormone-like molecules
 Exert their effects in the tissues where
they are synthesized
 Eicosanoids usually have a very short life
Physiological effects of eicosanoids
 Inflammatory response
 Production of pain and fever
 Regulation of blood pressure
 Induction of blood clotting
 Control of reproductive functions, such
as induction of labor
 Regulation of the sleep/wake cycle
Three principle types
1. Prostaglandins: C20-fatty acid derivative
containing cyclopentane ring and
oxygen-containing functional groups
 Involved in raising body
temperature
 Inhibiting the secretion of
gastric juices
 Increasing the secretion of a
protective mucus layer in the
stomach
 Relaxing and contacting smooth
muscle, directing water and
electrolyte balance, intensifying
pain, and enhancing
inflammation responses
2. Thromboxanes: C20-fatty acid derivative
containing a cyclic ether ring and
oxygen-containing functional groups.
promote platelet aggregation
3. Leukotrienes: C20-fatty acid derivative
containing three conjugated double
bonds and hydroxy groups. Promote
inflammatory and hypersensitivity
(allergy responses)
Cholesterol
 is the most abundant steroid in the
human body, and also the most
important.
 It is a component in plasma membranes
in all animal cells.
 It is the precursor of all steroid
hormones and bile acids
Steroid hormones
 Cholesterol is first converted to
progesterone and then to both sex
hormones and adrenocorticoid
hormones
Lipoproteins
 Carriers of cholesterol
 Most lipoproteins contain a core of
hydrophobic lipid molecules
surrounded by a shell of hydrophilic
molecules such as proteins and
phospholipids. There are four kinds
of lipoproteins:
 High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
(good cholesterol), consists of about
33% protein and 30%alcohol
 Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (bad
cholesterol), contains about 25%
protein and 50% cholesterol
 Very-low density lipoprotein
(VLDL), carries triglycerides (fats)
synthesized by the liver
 Chylomicrons, carry dietary lipids
synthesized in the intestines
Cholesterol transport
 Transport of cholesterol from the liver
starts out as a large VLDL particle
 VLDL is carried in the serum
 As fat is removed, its density increases
and it becomes LDL, LDL stays in the
plasma for about 2.5 days
 LDL carries cholesterol to cells, where
specific LDL receptors bind it
 After binding, LDL is taken into cells
where enzymes liberate free cholesterol
and cholesteryl esters
 High-density lipoproteins (HDL)
transport cholesterol from peripheral
tissues to the liver and also transfer
cholesterol to LDL
 While in the serum, free cholesterol in
HDL is converted to cholesteryl esters
 In the liver, HDL binds to the liver cell
surface and transfers its cholesteryl
esters to the cell
 These esters are used for the synthesis
of steroid hormones and bile acids
 After HDL has delivered its cholesteryl
esters to liver cells, it reenters
circulation
Levels of LDL and HDL
 Most of the cholesterol is carried by LDL
 Normal plasma levels are 175 mg/100 ml
 If there are sufficient LDL receptors on
the surface of cells, LDL is removed from
circulation and its concentration in
blood plasma drops
 The number of LDL receptors is
controlled by a feedback mechanism
 When the concentration of cholesterol
inside cells is high, the synthesis of LDL
receptors is suppressed
 In the disease called famelial
hypercholesterolemia, there are not
enough LDL receptors and plasma levels
of cholesterol may rise as high as 680
mg/100 ml
 These high levels of cholesterol can
cause premature atherosclerosis and
heart attacks
 In general, high LDL means high
cholesterol content in the plasma
because LDL cannot get into cells
  Therefore, high LDL together with low
HDL is a symptom of faulty cholesterol
transport and a warning of possible
atherosclerosis
 The serum cholesterol level controls
cholesterol synthesis in the liver
 When serum cholesterol is high, its
synthesis in the liver is low, and vice
versa.
 The commonly used statin drugs inhibit
the synthesis of cholesterol by blocking
HMG-CoA reductase.
Steroid hormones
 Estrogen- Female- control of menstrual
cycle
 Androgens- male
 Progestins- pregnancy hormones
 Mineralocorticoids- Control balance of
Na and K
 Glucocorticoids- reaction to stress,
control glucose metabolism and
counteract inflammation

 Male Hormones
 Adrenocorticoids hormones- regulation
-synthesized in the testes from
of sleep/wake cycle
cholesterol
-responsible for the development of
 Steroid hormones- derivatives of
male secondary sex characteristics
cholesterol
Female Hormones
-synthesized in the ovaries from
 Sex hormones- control production
progesterone
-responsible for the development of
 Eicosanoids- derivative of arachidonic
female secondary sex characteristics and
acid
control of the menstrual cycle
-progesterone like analogs are used in
oral contraceptives

Glucocorticoid Hormones

 Synthesized in the adrenal cortex

 Regulate metabolism of carbohydrates
 Decrease inflammation
 Involve in the reaction of stress

Bile salts

 are oxidation products of cholesterol

 synthesized in the liver, stored in the
gallbladder, and secreted into the
intestine where they emulsify dietary
fats and aid in their absorption and
digestion.