Aminoglutethimide (Elipten® CIBA)—A New Inhibitor of Steroid Biosynthesis
Authors: KAREL HORKÝ
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1969)

Editorial Notes1 April 1969Aminoglutethimide (Elipten® CIBA)—A New Inhibitor of Steroid BiosynthesisKAREL HORKÝ, M.D., OTO KÜCHEL, M.D.KAREL HORKÝ, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, OTO KÜCHEL, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-70-4-866 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptAminoglutethimide (Elipten® CIBA) is derived from the nonbarbiturate hypnotic glutethimide (Doriden®) from which it differs only by the presence of an —NH2group. It has been used for several years as an anticonvulsant drug. However, its prolonged use leads to side effects, the most serious of which is hypoadrenocorticism. More detailed analysis of its action has shown that it blocks the formation of adrenal hormones in the very early steps of steroid biosynthesis—the conversion of cholesterol to Δ5-pregnenolon (1, 2). This block is achieved through competitive inhibition of the mitochondrial desmolase side-chain-splitting enzyme (3). In addition to this main effect...References1. CAMACHOCASHBROUGHWILROY AMRAJRS: Inhibition of adrenal steroidogenesis by amino-glutethimide and the mechanism of action. JAMA 202: 20, 1967. CrossrefGoogle Scholar2. CASHBROUGHCOHENSATOH RAJMNPS: Aminoglutethimide (Elipten Ciba) as an inhibitor of adrenal steroidogenesis: mechanism of action and therapeutic trial. J. Clin. Endocr. 27: 1239, 1967. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. COHENFOA MPPP: Aminoglutethimide inhibition of adrenal desmolase activity. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 127: 1086, 1968. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. SCHTEINGARTCONN GEJW: Effects of aminoglutethimide upon adrenal function and cortisol metabolism in Cushing's syndrome: J. Clin. Endocr. 27: 1657, 1967. CrossrefGoogle Scholar5. FISHMANLIDDLEISLANDFLEISCHERKÜCHEL LMGWDPNO: Effects of aminoglutethimide on adrenal function in man. Ibid., p. 481. Google Scholar6. HORKÝKÜCHELGREGOROVÁSTÁRKA KOIL: Qualitative alterations in urinary 17-ketosteroids excretion during aminoglutethimide administration. J. Clin. Endocr. In press. Google Scholar7. RALLISONKUMAGAITYLER MLLFFH: Goitrous hypothyroidism induced by aminoglutethimide, anticonvulsant drug. J. Clin. Endocr. 27: 265, 1967. CrossrefGoogle Scholar8. HORKÝKÜCHELGREGOROVÁJIRÁNKOVÁMATYS KOIJZ: Klinische Erfahrungen mit Aminoglutethimid (Elipten Ciba), einem neuen Inhibitor der Steroid-Biosynthese in der Nebenniere. Schweiz. Med. Wschr. 98: 1843, 1968. MedlineGoogle Scholar9. MCMAHONFOLEY FGJ: Lack of glutethimide effect on adrenal. J. Clin. Endocr. 27: 1495, 1967. CrossrefGoogle Scholar10. JOHNSTONKRISLETROOP GGJRRC: Inhibition of adrenal steroidogenesis by glutethimide. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 129: 20, 1968. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Laboratory for Endocrinology and Metabolism Charles University Medical Faculty Prague 2, U nemocnice 1 Czechoslovakia PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByThe psychotropic effects of inhibitors of steroid biosynthesis in depressed patients refractory to treatmentTreatment of major depression with steroid suppressive drugsSteroids and depressionAcute starvation and suckling rat pancreasAminoglutethimide in the Treatment of Cushing's SyndromeAminoglutethimide: a 'side-effect' turned to therapeutic advantage 1 April 1969Volume 70, Issue 4Page: 866-867KeywordsAnticonvulsantsBiosynthesisCholesterolEnzymesHormones Issue Published: 1 April 1969 PDF DownloadLoading ...