title: [The effects of equol on enzymes related to testosterone synthesis and vimentin in the testis of perinatal mice by organ culture in vitro].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of Equol on genes and protein expression of testosterone synthesis related enzymes and Vimentin in testis of perinatal mice in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  Testes were isolated and cultured in infiltrating type rotating device for 72 h. The testes were randomly divided into five groups and treated with Equol (DMSO control, 0.01, 0.10, 1.00, 10.00 μmol/L Equol). Morphological changes were observed by HE staining under optical microscope. Expressions of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD),P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), Vimentin were detected by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No apparent morphological change in testes was observed compared to control group. The mRNA expression of 3β HSD, P450Scc, Vimentin show no statistical significance(P> 0. 05) in all Equol group, while the protein expressions of 3β-HSD, Vimentin, P450scc increased in 0. 10 μmol/L and decreased in 10.00 μmol/L Equol group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Equol exposure can affect 3β-HSD, P450Scc, Vimentin expression in testes in vitro, means Equol may have potential adverse effects on testosterone production and spermatogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
authors.forename: Ling-yu
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Yan-feng
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Zhi-bin
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / Q000378:metabolism*; D060754:Equol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014746:Vimentin / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D014746:Vimentin; D013739:Testosterone; D060754:Equol; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; C044256:3 (or 17)-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme