Studies on methotrexate effects on testicular steroidogenesis in rats.
The effects of single dose, 4 consecutive days, 4 and 8 weekly doses of methotrexate (MTX) treatment (3 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly) with and without leucovorin (LCN) supplementation (0.3 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly) on serum testosterone titres, total, free and esterified cholesterol concentrations and steroidogenic enzymes, viz. 3beta- and 17beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activities were studied in adult albino rats. MTX treatment caused a marked reduction in serum testosterone titres in all the treatment groups in a duration-dependent manner. LCN supplementation did not restore serum testosterone titres to normalcy. Total and free cholesterol concentrations remained unaltered in both MTX and MTX + LCN treated groups. On the other hand, a marked increase in esterified cholesterol concentration was evident only in weekly dose treatment groups. The specific activities of 3beta- and 17beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase were markedly diminished in both MTX and MTX + LCN treated groups. The results suggest the inhibitory effect of MTX on steroidogenesis.
Department of Zoology, NGM College, Pollachi, India. bs1958@yahoo.com
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Badri
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Vanithakumari
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Malini
D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002788:Cholesterol Esters / Q000097:blood; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood
D002788:Cholesterol Esters; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D013739:Testosterone; D002784:Cholesterol; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D002955:Leucovorin; D008727:Methotrexate