BIOCHEMISTRY - Main Regulators and Biological Fluids of the Human Body - 2016

2. HORMONES

2.11. The Role of Hormones in Medicine and Sports

All Endocrine glands function in a coordinated manner and exert mutual influence on one another. Introducing Hormones into the body not only affects the function of the gland that produces the administered hormone, but can also have a detrimental effect on the entire neuro-hormonal regulation system. Therefore, The Use of hormonal agents as performance-enhancing drugs poses a serious threat to athletes' health.

In medicine, hormones are used for the following purposes:

1. To compensate for their deficiency in the body during hypofunction of the endocrine glands, i.e., for hormone replacement therapy. For example, Insulin is used in Diabetes Mellitus; thyroxine for thyroid hypofunction; somatotropin for Pituitary dwarfism; deoxycorticosterone to treat hypocorticism; mineralocorticoids for Addison's disease and hypocorticism; estrogen preparations for pathological conditions associated with ovarian insufficiency and to restore disrupted estrous cycles; and androgen preparations for testicular hypofunction and functional Disorders of the Reproductive System.

2. To treat specific diseases. Glucocorticoids (cortisone, hydrocortisone) and their analogues (prednisolone, dexamethasone, etc.) are used for allergic and autoimmune pathologies (rheumatoid Arthritis, rheumatism, collagenoses, Bronchial Asthma, dermatitis); as anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agents (to prevent the rejection of transplanted Organs); and for the Prevention and Treatment of Shock. Vasopressin is used for diabetes insipidus; oxytocin to stimulate labor; Calcitonin for Osteoporosis, delayed fracture healing, and periodontal disease; parathyroid hormone for hypocalcemia caused by postoperative hypoparathyroidism; and Glucagon for hypoglycemia. Estrogen preparations and their combinations with progestins are prescribed for Climacteric syndrome; Prostaglandins E for Hypertension, bronchial asthma, and Stomach ulcers; prostaglandins F to terminate Pregnancy and induce labor; and preparations with prolactin activity (lactin) for insufficient Lactation in the postpartum period.

In addition, synthetic hormone analogues are widely used. Glucocorticoid analogues are used as anti-inflammatory and antiallergic agents. Analogues of Female Sex Hormones are used to manufacture oral contraceptives. Synthetic estrogens (diethylstilbestrol and synestrol) are used to treat prostate Cancer. A synthetic testosterone analogue (testosterone propionate) is used to treat breast cancer. Anabolic Steroids (methylandrostenediol, nerobolil, retabolil, etc.) are used to accelerate the formation and renewal of structural components in tissue Cells and Muscle structures (as anabolic agents).