7α-Hydroxy-DHEA
7α-Hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone, also known as 3β,7α-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-17-one, is an endogenous, naturally occurring steroid and a major metabolite of dehydroepiandrosterone that is formed by CYP7B1 in tissues such as the prostate gland and by CYP3A4 in the liver. The major metabolic pathway of DHEA outside the liver is via 7-hydroxylation into 7α-OH-DHEA and 7β-OH-DHEA. 7α-OH-DHEA has weak estrogenic activity, selectively activating the estrogen receptor ERβ. In addition, 7α-OH-DHEA may be responsible for the known antiglucocorticoid effects of DHEA.
Serum levels of 7α-OH-DHEA have been found to be significantly elevated in patients with Alzheimer's disease. It is unclear what significance this may have, if any.
7α-OH-DHEA is on the World Anti-Doping Agency list of prohibited substances in sporting.
