Pharmacobiochemical Analysis of the Cytoprotective Action of New 5-Androstendiol Derivatives.

5-Androstenediol esters, dibutanoate and dipropionate, were synthesized as prototypes of effective cytoprotectors with prolonged action. The cytoprotective effect of the new 5-androstenediol derivatives was assessed in human lung and skin fibroblasts and human blood mononuclear cells exposed to UV radiation. 5-Androstenediol esters showed a regenerating, cytoprotective effect on different types of fibroblasts, but not on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The DNA comet assay revealed no genotoxic effect of the new steroids on the mononuclear fraction of human blood, which indicates their safety. The cytoprotective activity of 5-androstenediol dibutanoate and dipropionate in human fibroblasts attests to their possible use for creating ointments and liniments for the treatment of skin injuries requiring regeneration (including irradiation damage).