Current medicinal chemistry
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The cytochrome P450 monooxygenase enzyme system is involved in the synthesis and/or degradation of a large number of endogenous compounds and in the biotransformation of drugs and other xenobiotics. 17alpha-Hydroxylase-C17,20-lyase (P450 17, CYP 17) is the key enzyme of the androgen biosynthesis. As androgens have been implicated in the development and progression of prostate cancer, this enzyme has become a promising therapeutic target. This paper will review the possible approaches dealing with P450 17 inhibition as a chemotherapeutic strategy in the struggle against prostate cancer.
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The three isotypes of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), PPARalpha, beta/delta and gamma, are ligand-inducible transcription factors that belong to the nuclear hormone receptor family. PPARs are implicated in the control of inflammatory responses and in energy homeostasis and thus, can be defined as metabolic and anti-inflammatory transcription factors. ⋯ This review discusses the molecular mechanisms by which PPARs and their ligands modulate the inflammatory response. In addition, it presents recent developments implicating PPAR specific ligands in potential treatments of inflammation-related diseases, such as atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.