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Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Mapping Metabolism: Monitoring Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity Directly in Tissue
Published on: June 21, 2018
Role of hydroxysteroid (17beta) dehydrogenase type 1 in reproductive tissues and hormone-dependent diseases
Taija Heinosalo1, Niina Saarinen1, Matti Poutanen2
1Institute of Biomedicine, Research Centre for Integrative Physiology and Pharmacology, Turku Center for Disease Modeling, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
Abstract:
Abnormal synthesis and metabolism of sex steroids is involved in the pathogenesis of various human diseases, such as endometriosis and cancers arising from the breast and uterus. Steroid biosynthesis is a multistep enzymatic process proceeding from cholesterol to highly active sex steroids via different intermediates. Human Hydroxysteroid (17beta) dehydrogenase 1 (HSD17B1) enzyme shows a high capacity to produce the highly active estrogen, estradiol, from a precursor hormone, estrone. However, the enzyme may also play a role in other steps of the steroid biosynthesis pathway. In this article, we have reviewed the literature on HSD17B1, and summarize the role of the enzyme in hormone-dependent diseases in women as evidenced by preclinical studies.
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