title: The effects of low-protein diet and testosterone on sex hormone-binding globulin capacity in male rabbits.
abstract: The effects of a low-protein high-carbohydrate (LPHC) diet (8% protein 65% to 72% carbohydrate) were compared to those of regular rabbit chow (14% to 16% protein 57% to 64% carbohydrate) on sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) capacity in 12 male rabbits. The six rabbits who were fed the LPHC diet for 8 weeks showed a significant increase in their mean SHBG capacity (mean +/- SE: from 70 +/- 16 nmol/L to 332 +/- 45 nmol/L, P less than .01) whereas the six rabbits fed the standard diet showed a slight decrease (from 106 +/- 22 nmol/L to 76 +/- 20 nmol/L, NS). These changes in SHBG capacity were mirrored by a decrease in percent-free T (from 2.64 +/- 0.26% to 1.64 +/- 0.16%, P less than .01) in the LPHC diet group and no change in percent-free T in the regular diet group (from 2.36 +/- 0.21% to 2.19 +/- 0.10%). The changes in SHBG capacity and percent-free T were not associated with significant changes in testosterone (T), free T, estradiol (E2), thyroxine, triiodothyronine, thyroxine-binding globulin, or cortisol binding globulin levels. In a subsequent experiment, testosterone cyclopentyl propionate (TCP) was administered to six male rabbits while on regular rabbit chow and again after 6 weeks of the LPHC diet. TCP administration did not cause any significant change in the SHBG capacity, but the LPHC resulted again in a significant (P less than .05) increase in SHBG capacity from 80 +/- 18 nmol/L. to 198 +/- 22 nmol/L.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol