title: SIMVASTATIN DECREASES SEX HORMONE LEVELS IN MALE RATS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Statins can inhibit therate-limiting enzyme hydroxymethyl glutaric acid-coenzyme A reductase to reduce cholesterol biosynthesis, and they are used frequently in the clinic. Cholesterol is also a precursor for sex hormones. However, it is not clear whether statins can affect sex hormone levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term use of statins on sex hormone levels in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Three simvastatin groups were administered different doses of simvastatin intragastrically daily (4, 8, or 16 mg/kg/day, n = 10). The control group was administered vehicle intragastrically daily (n = 10). The serum lipid spectrum and testosterone, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured before (0 weeks) and after 20 and 40 weeks of simvastatin administration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the control group, there were no statistically significant differences between lipid levels, liver function, or sex hormone levels before and after intragastric administration. Compared with the previous intragastric administration group, there was no obvious change in liver function with different doses of simvastatin. However, serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone were markedly decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. By contrast, the levels of FSH and LH were significantly higher, showing feedback regulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term simvastatin intake reduces serum testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone levels in male rats.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  HMG-CoA = hydroxymethyl glutaric acid CoA LDL = low-density lipoprotein LDL-C = low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol FSH = follicle-stimulating hormone LH = luteinizing hormone.
authors.forename: Xiujuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiaoming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Qingbo
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Jiajun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Chunxiao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Changting
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zuo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D002784:Cholesterol; D019821:Simvastatin