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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by morganpmiller on June 24, 2009, at 3:25:42
I've read that pregnenolone promotes neurogenesis and may help people recover from depression. I was just curious to know if anyone here has tried it.
Posted by Phillipa on June 24, 2009, at 12:47:21
In reply to Anyone ever try Pregnenolone?, posted by morganpmiller on June 24, 2009, at 3:25:42
It's a hormone in the thyroid loop isn't it? Phillipa
Posted by Sigismund on June 24, 2009, at 14:45:07
In reply to Anyone ever try Pregnenolone?, posted by morganpmiller on June 24, 2009, at 3:25:42
I have, but I don't have much to say about it.
(My DHEA levels are already high and I imagine pregnenelone might make them go up.)
Posted by morganpmiller on June 24, 2009, at 14:57:33
In reply to Re: Anyone ever try Pregnenolone? » morganpmiller, posted by Phillipa on June 24, 2009, at 12:47:21
Pregnenolone
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Pregnenolone
Systematic (IUPAC) name
3β-hydroxypregn-5-en-20-one
Identifiers
CAS number 145-13-1
ATC code ?
PubChem 8955
DrugBank EXPT02608
Chemical data
Formula C21H32O2
Mol. mass 316.483 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability ?
Metabolism ?
Half life ?
Excretion ?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.?
Legal status
Routes ?Pregnenolone is a steroid hormone involved in the steroidogenesis of progesterone, mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens. As such it is a prohormone. Pregnenolone is a GABAB antagonist and increases neurogenesis in the hippocampus.[1]
Contents
[hide]* 1 Chemistry
* 2 Synthesis
* 3 Prohormone
* 4 Neurosteroid
* 5 Additional images
* 6 References[edit] Chemistry
Like other steroids, pregnenolone consists of four interconnected cyclic hydrocarbons. It contains ketone and hydroxyl functional groups, two methyl branches, and a double bond at C5, in the B cyclic hydrocarbon ring. Like all steroid hormones, it is hydrophobic. Its esterified version, pregnenolone sulfate, is water-soluble.
[edit] Synthesis
Production of Pregnenolone from Cholesteol and further metabolism
Reaction: Pregnenolone-ProgesteronePregnenolone is synthesized from cholesterol. This conversion involves hydroxylation at the side-chain at C20 and C22 positions, with cleavage of the side-chain. The enzyme performing this task is cytochrome P450scc, located in the mitochondria, and controlled by pituitary tropic hormones, such as ACTH, FSH, LH.
[edit] Prohormone
Pregnenolone undergoes further steroid metabolism in one of three ways.
* Pregnenolone can be converted to progesterone. The critical enzyme step is two-fold using a 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and a delta 4-5 isomerase. The latter transfers the double bond from C5 to C4 on the A ring. Progesterone is the entry into the delta-4-pathway, resulting in production of 17-hydroxy progesterone and androstenedione, precursor to testosterone and estrone. Aldosterone and corticosteroids are also derived from progesterone or its derivatives.
* Pregnenolone can be converted to 17-hydroxy-pregnenolone by the enzyme 17α-hydroxylase (CYP17A1). Using this pathway, termed delta-5 pathway, the next step is conversion to dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) using a desmolase. DHEA is the precursor of androstenedione.
* Pregnenolone can be converted to androsta-5,16-dien-3 beta-ol by 16-ene synthetase.
[edit] Neurosteroid
Pregnenolone and its sulfate, like dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate and progesterone, belong to the group of neurosteroids that are found in high concentrations in certain areas in the brain, and are synthesized there. Neurosteroids affect synaptic functioning, are neuroprotective, and enhance myelinization. Pregnenolone and its sulfate ester are under investigation for their potential to improve cognitive and memory functioning.[2]
Pregnenolone sulfate was shown to activate the Transient Receptor Potential M3 ion channel in hepatocytes and pancreatic islets causing calcium entry and subsequent insulin release.[3]
Posted by jrbecker76 on June 24, 2009, at 15:56:49
In reply to Re: Anyone ever try Pregnenolone?, posted by morganpmiller on June 24, 2009, at 14:57:33
Posted by Phillipa on June 24, 2009, at 21:04:52
In reply to Re: Anyone ever try Pregnenolone?, posted by jrbecker76 on June 24, 2009, at 15:56:49
Does it affect a woman's hormones? Phillipa
Posted by morganpmiller on June 25, 2009, at 23:32:05
In reply to Re: Anyone ever try Pregnenolone? » jrbecker76, posted by Phillipa on June 24, 2009, at 21:04:52
Evidently pregnenolone can influence all hormones. It's been called "the mother of all hormones". Dr. Ray Sahelian, a sort of expert on supplements, swears by pregnenelone for it's mind boosting power. There are studies underway for the use of pregnenolone in depression and bipolar depression and negative symptoms for pschizophrenia.
Posted by Maria3667 on June 27, 2009, at 8:18:38
In reply to Anyone ever try Pregnenolone?, posted by morganpmiller on June 24, 2009, at 3:25:42
Yes I tried it.
Didn't do a hoot for depression.I find testosterone is heaps better in that department. Shame about the masculin side-effects.... else I would have continued taking the high dose.
Maria
> I've read that pregnenolone promotes neurogenesis and may help people recover from depression. I was just curious to know if anyone here has tried it.
This is the end of the thread.
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