Welcome to the Steroid Laboratory. In humans and animals many physiological processes are controlled by steroids, such as estrogen, testosterone, cortisol, etc. These steroids are important in reproduction, cardiovascular health, neurological functions and in general health. On the contrary, steroids are also implicated in the development and/or progression of many diseases, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, endometrial cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, osteoporosis, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Furthermore, oxidative metabolism of steroids has been shown to form toxic metabolites that can initiate the the disease processes and affect general health. Here at steroidomics lab we offer test kits to measure many physiological steroids and their toxic metabolites. Although, for these tests we use state of the art mass spectrometry for analysis, steroid measurements should not be used for diagnostic purpose. Steroid measurements from these tests can be used in academic research and to monitor individual general human and animal health.
What is Steroidomics?
Steroidomics is a subfield of metabolomics that focuses on the comprehensive study and analysis of steroids in biological systems. It’s all about identifying and quantifying steroid hormones and their metabolites to understand their roles in physiology, disease, and therapy.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the concept:
🔬 What are steroids? Steroids are a class of organic molecules with a core structure of four fused carbon rings. They include: Sex hormones (like estrogen, testosterone, progesterone)
- Corticosteroids (like cortisol and aldosterone)
- Vitamin D derivatives
- Bile acids
🧪 What does steroidomics involve?
- Sample collection: Usually blood, urine, saliva, or tissue
- Analytical methods: Mostly LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry) or GC-MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry)
- Data analysis: Measuring levels of various steroids and their metabolic pathways
- Biological interpretation: Understanding how steroid imbalances relate to diseases (e.g., cancer, endocrine disorders, neurodegenerative diseases)
🧠Why is it important?
- Detects subtle hormonal imbalances
- Helps in precision medicine and endocrine profiling
- Useful in sports anti-doping and clinical diagnostics
- Explores steroid metabolism in aging, stress, and disease contexts