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Enzymatic Inhibition

Meaning

The process by which a molecule, known as an inhibitor, binds to an enzyme and decreases its catalytic activity, thereby slowing or preventing a specific biochemical reaction. In endocrinology, this mechanism is fundamental to many therapeutic agents, such as those that inhibit the aromatase enzyme to reduce estrogen production or those that block 5-alpha reductase to limit dihydrotestosterone synthesis. Precise enzymatic inhibition is a cornerstone of targeted hormonal modulation.