Androgenic actions of 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol in rat submandibular gland.
To evaluate the action of 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha,17 beta-diol(3 alpha-diol) in rat submandibular gland, 5 alpha-reductase, 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 alpha-HSD) and oxidative 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 alpha-HSDO) activities, and trypsin-like protease activities, were assayed in control, castrated and 3 alpha-diol injected rats. 3 alpha-Diol (1 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously in castrated male rats daily for 7 days. A 47% decrease of 5 alpha-reductase activity in the nuclei and a 30% decrease of 3 alpha-HSD(O) activities in the cytosol were shown after castration. 3 alpha-Diol restored the 5 alpha-reductase and 3 alpha-HSD(O) activities to 82 and 140% of the control submandibular gland, respectively. 3 alpha-Diol raised the trypsin-like protease activity to near control values in the submandibular gland of castrated rats. Morphological observations also revealed a distinct effect of 3 alpha-diol on the number of granules of granular duct cells. It is concluded that 3 alpha-diol has an androgenic action in the rat submandibular gland. It stimulates the 3 alpha-HSD(O). The 3 alpha-HSD(O) in its turn may be responsible for DHT accumulation in the cells.
Furuyama
M
M
Department of Biochemistry, Kanagawa Dental College, Yokosuka, Japan.
Koshika
S
S
Hayashi
H
H
Ejiri
H
H
Nakayama
Y
Y
D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000732:Androstanols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D009929:Organ Size; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D014357:Trypsin / Q000378:metabolism
D000732:Androstanols; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase; D014357:Trypsin