Steroid

Steroids, or steroid hormones are powerful hormones with drastic effects, both good and bad, when artificially introduced into living systems. Athletes have often taken anobolic steroids to improve muscle growth and athletic performance. Glucocorticoids play a role in inflamation, and estrogens have been linked to cancer. Testosterone and estrogen influence sexual traits (maleness/femaleness). All steroid hormones are naturally synthesized from cholesterol. The five major classes of steroids are: progestagens, glucocorticoids, mineralcorticoids, androgens and estrogens. The steroid hormones activate gene expression by binding to enhancer proteins, called steroid receptors.