title: 4-Methylcatechol inhibits cell growth and testosterone production in TM3 Leydig cells by reducing mitochondrial activity.
abstract: 4-Methylcatechol (4-MC) is a potential neuroprotective drug because it stimulates the synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in neurons. The present study explored the effect of 4-MC on cell growth and testosterone synthesis in the TM3 Leydig cells of mice. 4-MC did not enhance expression of both BDNF and NGF in these cells. However, this compound significantly inhibited cell proliferation and increased the number of apoptotic cells in a dose-dependent manner. The expression profile of Bax/Bcl-2 gene was altered considerably, and mitochondrial activity was significantly decreased in cells. 4-Methylcatechol also inhibited testosterone synthesis in TM3 Leydig cells. The inhibitory roles of this compound in relation to growth and testosterone synthesis in TM3 Leydig cells maybe associated with increased Bax gene expression and decreased mitochondrial activity. As a result, caspase cascade is activated.
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: C-J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: Y-W
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: S-X
authors.initials: SX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: H-J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: Y-T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: X-L
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: H-T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: F-G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medical Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002396:Catechols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D002396:Catechols; C018599:4-methylcatechol; D013739:Testosterone; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D053148:Caspase 3
keywords: 4-Methylcatechol; TM3 Leydig cells; apoptosis; testosterone synthesis