lyase and 5 u03b1 reductase inhibitors and to a novel process for preparing a compound of the formula str1 comprising sequentially a reacting a starting compound of the formula str2 with an effective amount of a strong base at an elevated or suitable temperature for a time sufficient to create the corresponding thermodynamic dienolate followed by addition of a neutral nitrating agent to produce the 4 nitro steroid and then b reacting the 4 nitrosteroid with a suitable reducing agent application_number US 73703197 A description the starting compounds are known or may be obtained by known techniques as used herein the term 34 c 1 c 6 alkanoyl 34 refers to a straight or branched chain alkanoyl radical of from one to six carbon atoms included within the scope of this term are formyl acetyl propionyl butyryl isobutyryl hexanoyl and the like as used herein the term 34 c 1 c 4 alkanol 34 refers to a straight or branched chain alcohol radical of from one to four carbon atoms containing at least one hydroxy functional group but no more than 1 hydroxy group attached to each carbon atom included within the scope of this term are methanol ethanol n propanol isopropanol n butanol 2 butanol 2 methyl 1 propanol 2 methyl 2 propanol 1 2 dihydroxyethanol 1 3 dihydroxyisopropanol and the like as used herein the term 34 c 1 c 6 alkyl 34 refers to a saturated straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radical of from one to six carbon atoms included within the scope of this term are methyl ethyl n propyl isopropyl n butyl isobutyl tert butyl n pentyl n hexyl.