Ethanol directly increases dihydrotestosterone conversion to 5 alpha-androstan-3 beta,17 beta-diol and 5 alpha-androstan-3 alpha,17 beta-diol in rat Leydig cells.
The direct effect of ethanol on dihydrotestosterone (DHT) conversion to 5 alpha-androstan-3 beta,17 beta-diol (3 beta-diol) and 5 alpha-androstan-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (3 alpha-diol) by adult rat Leydig cells was examined. Concentrations of ethanol comparable to blood levels of alcoholic men (2.2 - 65 mM) increased DHT conversion to 3 beta - and 3 alpha-diol, in direct relation to the dose of ethanol added; a 2-fold or greater stimulation was observed. Because this effect was blocked by 4-methylpyrazole or a saturating NADH concentration, these results suggest that this action is mediated by Leydig cell alcohol dehydrogenase activity. These results may have significant impact in the testis and/or other DHT sensitive tissues because ethanol may decrease the availability of the proposed active androgen.
D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase; D000429:Alcohol Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000732:Androstanols / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D003067:Coenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats
D000732:Androstanols; D003067:Coenzymes; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol; D000431:Ethanol; D000429:Alcohol Oxidoreductases; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase