Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on ubiquinone and catalase in the livers of male F-344 rats.
The adrenal steroid, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) acts as a peroxisome proliferator in the rodents. The present study examined the effects on cellular antioxidants ubiquinone and catalase in the liver of DHEA-treated rats. When administered to male F-344 rats for 8 weeks, DHEA produced a significant increase in hepatic ubiquinone-9 and lipid peroxide levels while no change was observed after 2 weeks. Activity of catalase, in contrast, followed an inverse pattern, being significantly induced at 2 weeks with a return to normal levels after 8 weeks. A marked reduction of ubiquinone-10 in DHEA-treated rat livers was only observed after 2 weeks. These findings indicate the potentials of high dose DHEA to modulate ubiquinone in rat hepatic tissue.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA. seherkhan@lecom.edu
Seher Akhtar
SA
Khan
D000818:Animals; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000378:metabolism*
D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D014451:Ubiquinone; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D002374:Catalase