title: Inhibition of testicular cytochrome P-450-dependent steroid biosynthesis by cis-platinum. Reversal by human chorionic gonadotropin.
abstract: The treatment of rats with cis-platinum for 7 days caused a profound, and seemingly selective, decrease (70-80%) in the microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels in the testis. This decrease was accompanied by marked reductions (70-80%) in steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase activity and in plasma testosterone concentration. The treatment of rats with human chorionic gonadotropin partially restored the cytochrome P-450 concentration and 17 alpha-hydroxylase activity and permitted the plasma testosterone level to approach control values. The effect of cis-platinum on the testicular cytochrome P-450 appeared unrelated to deficiencies in heme metabolic processes, in so far that neither was the activity of delta-aminolevulinate synthetase decreased, nor was that of heme oxygenase increased. These enzymes are rate-limiting in heme biosynthesis and degradation pathways, respectively. Also, the activities of uroporphyrinogen I synthetase, delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase, and ferrochelatase and the concentration of total porphyrins in the testis remained unchanged. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis of the microsomal preparation did not reveal a diminished level of apocytochrome; however, in this preparation, heme could not be detected in molecular weight regions corresponding to cytochrome P-450. The microsomal cytochrome b5 and the mitochondrial heme concentrations were not decreased in cis-platinum-treated rats. It is suggested that the mechanism of depletive action of cis-platinum on microsomal cytochrome P-450 involves an impairment of the effective assembly of heme and apoprotein moieties. It is further suggested that the anterior pituitary hormones control the factor(s) involved in this assembly, a process which is interrupted by cis-platinum.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000378:metabolism*; D006418:Heme / Q000378:metabolism; D006420:Hemeproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008861:Microsomes / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D006420:Hemeproteins; D013256:Steroids; D006418:Heme; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D002945:Cisplatin