title: The anti-epileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) inhibits steroidogenesis in bovine theca and granulosa cells in vitro.
abstract: Valproic acid (VPA) is used widely to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Women undergoing VPA treatment reportedly have an increased incidence of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)-like symptoms including hyperandrogenism and oligo- or amenorrhoea. To investigate potential direct effects of VPA on ovarian steroidogenesis we used primary bovine theca (TC) and granulosa (GC) cells maintained under conditions that preserve their 'follicular' phenotype. Effects of VPA (7.8-500 µg/ml) on TC were tested with/without LH. Effects of VPA on GC were tested with/without FSH or IGF analogue. VPA reduced (P<0.0001) both basal (70% suppression; IC(50) 67±10 µg/ml) and LH-induced (93% suppression; IC(50) 58±10 µg/ml) androstenedione secretion by TC. VPA reduced CYP17A1 mRNA abundance (>99% decrease; P<0.0001) with lesser effects on LHR, STAR, CYP11A1 and HSD3B1 mRNA (<90% decrease; P<0.05). VPA only reduced TC progesterone secretion induced by the highest (luteinizing) LH dose tested; TC number was unaffected by VPA. At higher concentrations (125-500 µg/ml) VPA inhibited basal, FSH- and IGF-stimulated estradiol secretion (P<0.0001) by GC without affecting progesterone secretion or cell number. VPA reversed FSH-induced upregulation of CYP19A1 and HSD17B1 mRNA abundance (P<0.001). The potent histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors trichostatin A and scriptaid also suppressed TC androstenedione secretion and granulosal cell oestrogen secretion suggesting that the action of VPA reflects its HDAC inhibitory properties. In conclusion, these findings refute the hypothesis that VPA has a direct stimulatory action on TC androgen output. On the contrary, VPA inhibits both LH-dependent androgen production and FSH/IGF-dependent estradiol production in this in vitro bovine model, likely by inhibition of HDAC.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Glister
authors.forename: Leanne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Satchell
authors.forename: Anthony E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Bicknell
authors.forename: Philip G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Knight
mesh_terms: D000735:Androstenedione / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002417:Cattle; D002452:Cell Count; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000494:pharmacology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D056572:Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013256:Steroids; D000735:Androstenedione; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D014635:Valproic Acid; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone