The specialized field of endocrinology that investigates the biochemical pathways involved in the synthesis, activation, transport, and eventual deactivation and excretion of hormones within the body. Understanding these metabolic processes is critical for precise clinical intervention and optimizing hormonal health.
Origin
Hormone is from the Greek hormon, meaning to set in motion. Metabolism is from the Greek metabole, meaning change, referring to the chemical processes occurring within a living organism. Science denotes the systematic study of this subject.
Mechanism
Steroid hormones, for instance, are synthesized from cholesterol and undergo various activation and inactivation steps involving cytochrome P450 enzymes and conjugation reactions, primarily in the liver. Peptide hormones are metabolized by peptidases and cleared by the kidneys. These enzymatic transformations dictate the biological half-life and ultimate physiological effect of the circulating messengers.
We use cookies to personalize content and marketing, and to analyze our traffic. This helps us maintain the quality of our free resources. manage your preferences below.
Detailed Cookie Preferences
This helps support our free resources through personalized marketing efforts and promotions.
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, improving user experience and website performance.
Personalization cookies enable us to customize the content and features of our site based on your interactions, offering a more tailored experience.