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Azacosterol
Chemical compound From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Azacosterol (INN ), or azacosterol hydrochloride (USAN ) (brand name Ornitrol), also called 20,25-diazacholesterol, is a cholesterol-lowering drug (hypocholesteremic), which was marketed previously, but has since been discontinued.[1][2][3] It is also an avian chemosterilant used to control pest pigeon populations via inducing sterility.[4] The drug is a sterol and derivative of cholesterol in which two carbon atoms have been replaced with nitrogen atoms.[5]
Azacosterol acts as an inhibitor of 24-dehydrocholesterol reductase (24-DHCR), preventing the formation of cholesterol from desmosterol.[4][6] Although it primarily acts to inhibit 24-DHCR, the drug also inhibits other steps in cholesterol biosynthesis.[6] The antifertility effects of the drug in birds are mediated by inhibition of steroid hormone production, steroid hormones being synthesized from cholesterol.[4] Due to prevention of the metabolism of desmosterol, the drug causes it to accumulate, in turn producing side effects such as hyperkeratosis, particularly of the palms and soles.[6]
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