Abstract: A method is provided for treating a patient in need of therapy for acute neuronal degeneration due to metabolic compromise of central or peripheral nervous system cells comprising administering to that patient a therapeutically effective amount of a 7&agr;-hydroxy substituted steroid selected from 7&agr;-hydroxy-derivatives of estradiols, dehydroepiandrosterones and pregnenolones, and metabolic precursors thereof. Use of such compounds for manufacture of medicaments and neuroprotective compositions are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: This invention relates to the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11B-hydroxy equivalents, to methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

Abstract: Use is provided for a 7&agr;-hydroxy or 7-oxo substituted 3&bgr;-hydroxy-steroid possessing the carbon skeleton of cholesterol, androsterone, pregnenolone or estradiol, or an analogue thereof substituted independently at one or both of the 7- and 3-positions with an ester or ether group, in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the therapy of neuropsychiatric, immune and/or endocrine disorders or for inducing cognitive enhancement. Uses for Cyp7b enzymes in producing such steroids is also provided together with various novel steroids and test kits and methods for diagnosing the disorders.

Abstract: The interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11&bgr;-hydroxy equivalents can be controlled by the use of inhibitors of the 11&bgr;-reductase enzyme, such as carbenoxolone (3&bgr;-(3-carboxypropionyloxy)-11-oxo-olean-2-en30-oic acid). Such inhibitors may be put to a number of therapeutic uses in humans and animals, for instance to inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis, to lower intracellular cortisol concentration, to increase insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue and muscle, and to prevent or reduce neuronal loss/cognitive impairment due to glucocorticoid potentiated neurotoxicity or neural dysfunction or damage.

Abstract: The interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11&bgr;-hydroxy equivalents can be controlled by the use of inhibitors of the 11&bgr;-reductase enzyme, such as carbenoxolone (3&bgr;-(3-carboxypropionyloxy)-11-oxo-olean-2-en30-oic acid). Such inhibitors may be put to a number of therapeutic uses in humans and animals, for instance to inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis, to lower intracellular cortisol concentration, to increase insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue and muscle, and to prevent or reduce neuronal loss/cognitive impaiment due to glucocorticoid potentiated neurotoxicity or neural dysfunction or damage.

Abstract: The interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active 11&bgr;-hydroxy equivalents can be controlled by the use of inhibitors of the 11&bgr;-reductase enzyme, such as carbenoxolone (3&bgr;-(3-carboxypropionyloxy)-11-oxo-olean-2-en30-oic acid). Such inhibitors may be put to a number of therapeutic uses in humans and animals, for instance to inhibit hepatic gluconeogenesis, to lower intracellular cortisol concentration, to increase insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue and muscle, and to prevent or reduce neuronal loss/cognitive impaiment due to glucocorticoid potentiated neurotoxicity or neural dysfunction or damage.