Steroid Fever And Inflammation

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Abstract
A number of 5β-H steroids derived from the endogenous metabolic transformations of cholesterol and gonadal and adrenocortical hormones have been shown to evoke intense pyrogenic reactions when injected into humans. The structural basis and species specificity of this form of biological activity have been described in previous communications from this laboratory.1-7 The present report examines in detail certain other aspects of steroid pyrogen action, utilizing 11-ketopregnanolone as a chemical prototype of this class of fever-producing agents. This C21 5β-H steroid was selected for use in this study because of its potency, its physiologic origin, and its ready availability in large amounts and in pure form through chemical synthesis. The characteristics of the thermogenic and inflammatory responses induced by this compound may, on the basis of extensive comparisons made with structurally related steroids, be considered to typify those induced generally by appropriate administration of neutral steroid pyrogens to man. Methods

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