# It blocks [[aromatase]]<ref name="pmid17602675">{{cite journal |author=Siraki AG, Bonini MG, Jiang J, Ehrenshaft M, Mason RP |title=Aminoglutethimide-induced protein free radical formation on myeloperoxidase: a potential mechanism of agranulocytosis |journal=[[Chemical research in toxicology]] |volume=20 |issue=7 |pages=1038–45 |year=2007 |month=July |pmid=17602675 |pmc=2073000 |doi=10.1021/tx6003562}}</ref> in the generation of [[estrogens]] from [[androstenedione]] and [[testosterone]].
# It blocks [[aromatase]]<ref name="pmid17602675">{{cite journal |author=Siraki AG, Bonini MG, Jiang J, Ehrenshaft M, Mason RP |title=Aminoglutethimide-induced protein free radical formation on myeloperoxidase: a potential mechanism of agranulocytosis |journal=[[Chemical research in toxicology]] |volume=20 |issue=7 |pages=1038–45 |date=July 2007 |pmid=17602675 |pmc=2073000 |doi=10.1021/tx6003562}}</ref> in the generation of [[estrogens]] from [[androstenedione]] and [[testosterone]].
# It blocks the conversion of cholesterol to [[pregnenolone]] by inhibiting the enzyme [[P450scc]] and consequently decreases synthesis of all hormonally active [[steroids]].
# It blocks the conversion of cholesterol to [[pregnenolone]] by inhibiting the enzyme [[P450scc]] and consequently decreases synthesis of all hormonally active [[steroids]].
Aminoglutethimide is an anti-steroid drug marketed under the tradename Cytadren by Novartis around the world. It blocks the production of steroids derived from cholesterol and is clinically used in the treatment of Cushing's syndrome[1] and metastatic breast cancer. It is also used by body builders.
It blocks the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone by inhibiting the enzyme P450scc and consequently decreases synthesis of all hormonally active steroids.
At low doses, aminogluthethimide is only an effective inhibitor of aromatase, but at higher doses, it effectively blocks P450scc as well.
Aminoglutethimide is abused by body builders and other steroid users to lower circulating levels of cortisol in the body and prevent muscle loss. Cortisol is catabolic to protein in muscle and effective blockade of P450scc by aminogluthethimide at high doses prevents muscle loss.[citation needed]