It is bound 65% to sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and 33% bound weakly to albumin. The plasma protein binding of testosterone is 98.0 to 98.5%, with 1.5 to 2.0% free or unbound. Finally, increasing levels of testosterone through a negative feedback loop act on the hypothalamus and pituitary to inhibit the release of GnRH and FSH/LH, respectively. The amount of testosterone synthesized is regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–testicular axis (Figure 2). In addition, the amount of testosterone produced by existing Leydig cells is under the control of LH, which regulates the expression of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Critical illness is characterized by marked reductions in gonadal steroid production, significantly contributing to the catabolic state ubiquitously observed in the ICU (32). A recent summary of this limited evidence concluded insufficient evidence was present to determine any effect on functional exercise capacity or quality of life for an exercise-based intervention initiated after ICU discharge (27). Thus, a significant unmet need is thoroughly evident, and should engender development of new therapies to address the devastating impairments facing ICU survivors and improve their functional outcomes in this rapidly growing population. In response, ‘ICU Survivorship’ and addressing impaired quality of life and function in ICU survivors has been named "the defining challenge of critical care" for this century (21). Initially, to assess the robustness of our docking algorithm, we removed the MDZ ligand from the CYP3A4 active site, prepared the empty receptor, and redocked the ligand. Testosterone 6β-, 2β-, and 2α-hydroxylation rate in human adult and fetal liver microsomes Representative MRM chromatograms of the hydroxylated testosterone metabolites formed in the incubations of the adult HLMs and fHLMs are shown in Fig. Although there is no known physiologic role for 2α-OH-T in fetal development, it is striking that this is a predominant metabolite and may hint at some yet undiscovered function for this compound. To address this knowledge gap, and to further assess the possibility of using the 2α-OH-T/6β-OH-T ratio as an endogenous biomarker of CYP3A7, we undertook a complete kinetic characterization of testosterone metabolism by CYP3A7. In addition to 6β-OH-T, it was previously reported that CYP3A4 can produce several other testosterone metabolites, albeit in lower abundance than the 6β metabolite (Waxman et al., 1988; Krauser et al., 2004). However, no trials of oxandrolone/testosterone and exercise in non-burn ICU populations have been conducted. A growing number of trials with this agent combined with strutured exercise show clinical benefit, including improved physical function and safety in burns and other catabolic states. We suggest addressing persistent catabolism by treatment with testosterone analogs combined with structured exercise is a promising novel intervention to improve "ICU Survivorship". This is not about a temporary infection but low-grade inflammation that affects the body over time. But the picture of the hormone is often simplified. It is common for men to seek treatment for fatigue or depression, believing it is due to testosterone deficiency.