Epiandrosterone

OTHER NAME(S): 3b-Androsterone, 3b-Hydroxyetioallocholan-17-one, 5a-Androstan-3Beta-ol-17-one, D-Epiandrosterone, Iso-Androsterone, Trans-androsterone, Isoandrosterone, 3b-Hydroxy-5a-Androstan-17-one, Epiandrosterone, Epiandrosterona, Épiandrostérone

Overview

Epiandrosterone is a type of chemical known as an anabolic steroid. It is converted in the body to other sex hormones.

In the US, epiandrosterone is a schedule III controlled substance that is not legal for use in supplements. But it is still found in some supplement products. It is also banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Epiandrosterone is used for weight loss, to improve athletic performance, to reduce sexual problems, and for many other uses, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use. Epiandrosterone might also be unsafe.

References
  1. Anabolic Steroid Act, Public Law No. 108-358, 2004.
  2. Joseph JF, Parr MK. Synthetic androgens as designer supplements. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(1):89-100.
  3. What Should Tested Athletes Know About GW1516? Education, Spirit of Sport. U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). September 24, 2019. Available at: https://www.usada.org/spirit-of-sport/education/what-should-athletes-know-gw1516/
  4. Laychock SG, Bauer AL. Epiandrosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone affect glucose oxidation and interleukin-1 beta effects in pancreatic islets. Endocrinology 1996;137(8):3375-85.
  5. Chalbot S, Morfin R. Human liver S9 fractions: metabolism of dehydroepiandrosterone, epiandrosterone, and related 7-hydroxylated derivatives. Drug Metab Dispos 2005;33(4):563-9.
  6. Gupte SA, Tateyama M, Okada T, Oka M, Ochi R. Epiandrosterone, a metabolite of testosterone precursor, blocks L-type calcium channels of ventricular myocytes and inhibits myocardial contractility. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2002;34(6):679-88.
  7. El Kihel L. Oxidative metabolism of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and biologically active oxygenated metabolites of DHEA and epiandrosterone (EpiA)--recent reports. Steroids. 2012;77(1-2):10-26.