Effects of ethanol intoxication on LH receptors and glucose oxidation in Leydig cells of adult albino rats.
The present study was designed to assess the dose-dependent effects of ethanol on Leydig cells of adult albino rats of the Wistar strain. Ethanol was given orally through gastric intubation at three different dose levels (0.5, 1 and 3 g/kg body weight) twice daily as 25% (v/v) aqueous solution for 15 days. Ethanol treatment reduced body and testes weights. Serum testosterone registered a decrease while estradiol levels became elevated. Activities of the steroidogenic enzymes 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) and 17-ketosteroid reductase (17-KSR) decreased significantly. The glucose oxidative capacity of Leydig cells was impaired by ethanol treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, ethanol treatment caused significant reduction in LH receptors on the Leydig cell membrane at higher doses (1 and 3 g/kg) whereas no significant change was observed with the lower dose (0.5 g/kg) as compared to controls. The present findings suggest that the decrease in Leydig cellular LH receptors, glucose oxidation and the activities of 3beta-HSD and 17-KSR are possible mechanisms by which ethanol treatment perturbs Leydig cell steroidogenesis.
Rengarajan
Srinivasan
S
Department of Endocrinology, Dr. ALM PG Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai 600113, India.
Malini
Thayman
T
Sivakumar
Ramdoss
R
Govindarajulu
Pera
P
Balasubramanian
Karundevi
K
D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D051381:Rats; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D011974:Receptors, LH; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D005947:Glucose