Difference Between Steroids and Anabolic Steroids

Steroids vs Anabolic Steroids

Steroids are terpenoid lipids that characterize a sterane core along with various other extra functional groups. The core of a steroid has a carbon structure comprising of, four inter-related rings. The four rings can be further categorized into a single cyclopentane ring and three cyclohexane rings. Steroids tend to vary on the basis of,

• The functional groups that are attached to the four inter related rings
• The state of oxidation of the four rings

Some of the common kinds of steroids are estrogen, cortisol, progesterone and testosterone.

On the other hand, anabolic steroids or better known as anabolic androgenic steroids are a particular class of hormonal steroids that are related to the testosterone hormone. The term ‘anabolic’ derives from the root Greek word ‘anabolein’ meaning to build up. Thereon the other word ‘androgenic’ comes from the Greek word ‘andros’ meaning man and to produce. This particular steroid helps in heightening the process of protein synthesis inside the cells which can help in anabolism (building up of the cellular tissue). The process generally initiates the best effects in the muscles.

Steroids initiate steroid metabolism which consists of the entire set of chemical reactions that take place within the human body for production, modification and consumption of energy. Anabolic steroids own special virilizing and androgenic characteristics that initiate the growth and enhancement of masculine characteristics like body hair and thickening of the vocal cords.

Pharmacology of Steroids and Anabolic steroids

Pharmacology of Steroids: There are a number of distinctive drugs that aim at the mevalonate pathway of steroid application. A few are bisphosphonates that are used for treating the bone degenerative diseases and statins that are used for reducing high levels of cholesterol.

Pharmacology of Anabolic Steroids: There are three distinctive ways of administering anabolic steroids, as Injectable steroids, through skin patches and also as oral pills. The oral pills get absorbed the fastest but run the chance of transforming into inactive metabolites. Hence the derivatives of testosterone are led through a process of alkalization at the position 17 in the form of fluoxymesterone and methyltestosterone.

Summary:
1.  Steroids are terpenoid lipids that characterize a sterane core. On the other hand, anabolic steroids are hormonal steroids that are related to the testosterone hormone in particular.
2.  Steroids initiate metabolism for production, modification and consumption of energy, whereas, anabolic steroids have androgenic characteristics leading to growth and enhancement of masculine characteristics in the human body.

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