Hypocholesterolemic Effect of an Androsterone Analogue

An assay was devised in which the hypocholesterolemic action of parenterally administered androsterone could be demonstrated in rats given a low dose of propyl-thiouracil. Using this procedure an analogue of androsterone, 3α-methoxy-17α-methyl-5α-androstan-17-ol (SC-12790), was found to have an oral hypocholesterolemic activity similar to that of parenterally administered androsterone. Endocrine assays indicated the new steroid to be a weak androgen of the same order of potency as androsterone.