Expression of steroid 5α-reductase isozymes in prostate of adult rats after environmental stress

The prostate of the bat Artibeus lituratus: Seasonal variations, abiotic regulation, and hormonal control

The prostate is an important gland that contributes to the male reproductive process, producing secretions that are essential for maintaining ideal conditions for the survival of sperm. Studies indicate a wide variation in the occurrence, morphology, and physiology of this gland in mammals, especially in bats, with this variation being related not only to the number of regions and their degree of compaction/lobulation but also to fluctuations in their functioning throughout the year. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the annual morphological and physiological variations of the male prostate of Artibeus lituratus and analyze their responses to annual abiotic variations and hormonal control. Sixty sexually adult males of A. lituratus were analyzed in this study, with five specimens collected monthly. Blood samples were submitted to serum hormone measurements and the prostates were morphologically, morphometrically, and immunohistochemically analyzed. The results indicated that the two prostatic regions (ventral and dorsal) of A. lituratus had different morphology, as well as different physiology and regulation. Annual fluctuations in abiotic factors seemed to influence the dorsal region more than the ventral region. Conversely, variations on testicular factors, such as testosterone and estradiol, influenced the ventral region more than the dorsal region. Despite these differences, both prostatic regions were strongly synchronized to the main reproductive peak of the species in September. The holocrine pattern of the ventral prostate was not directly affected by abiotic factors or by factors released by the testes.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate inhibits testosterone level through disturbed hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis and ERK-mediated 5α-Reductase 2

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) has reproductive toxicity and can affect male reproductive development. In order to clarify adverse effects of DEHP on testicular physiology and testosterone production, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were dosed daily with DEHP by gavage for 30days; TM3 cells (mouse Leydig cell line) were treated with DEHP for 24h after pretreatment with vitamin C or U0126. Results indicated that the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis (HPT) axis was disturbed and serum testosterone, LH and FSH levels were decreased following DEHP exposure. Histomorphological changes of rat testes were also observed, such as deformed seminiferous tubules, aggregated chromatin, multiple vacuoles, swollen mitochondria, apoptotic germ cells and Sertoli cells, as well as increased Leydig cell numbers. Moreover, DEHP caused oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro and then induced the ERK pathway, which was required to mediate 5α-Reductase 2 and scavenger receptor class B-1 (SRB1) levels. However, levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD), P450 17α-hydroxylase/17.20 lyase (P450c17), and P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) were not significantly altered after DEHP exposure. Taken together, DEHP-disturbed HPT axis and induced 5α-Reductase 2 contribute to the reduction of serum testosterone level. The activated ERK pathway is required to modulate expressions of 5α-Reductase 2 and SRB1.

Epigenetic regulation in biopsychosocial pathways

Theory and empirical evidence suggest that psychological stress and other adverse psychosocial experiences can contribute to cancer progression. Research has begun to explore the potential role of epigenetic changes in these pathways. In basic, animal and human models, exposure to stressors or to the products of the physiological stress response (e.g., cortisol) has been associated with epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation and microRNA (miR) expression, which may influence tumor growth, progression, metastasis, or chemoresistance. However, the specific biological pathways linking stress, epigenetic changes, and cancer outcomes remain unclear. Numerous opportunities exist to extend the preliminary evidence for the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the biopsychosocial pathways contributing to cancer progression. Such work will improve our understanding of how the psychosocial environment influences cancer risk and survival, potentially leading to improved prevention and treatment strategies.

The implication of neuroactive steroids in Tourette's syndrome pathogenesis: A role for 5α-reductase?

Tourette's syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by recurring motor and phonic tics. The pathogenesis of TS is considered to reflect dysregulations in the signalling of dopamine (DA) and other neurotransmitters, which lead to excitation/inhibition imbalances in cortico-striato-thalamocortical circuits. The causes of these deficits may reflect complex gene × environment × sex (G × E × S) interactions; indeed, the disorder is markedly predominant in males, with a male-to-female prevalence ratio of approximately 4 : 1. Converging lines of evidence point to neuroactive steroids as being likely molecular candidates to account for G × E × S interactions in TS. Building on these premises, our group has begun examining the possibility that alterations in the steroid biosynthetic process may be directly implicated in TS pathophysiology; in particular, our research has focused on 5α-reductase (5αR), the enzyme catalysing the key rate-limiting step in the synthesis of pregnane and androstane neurosteroids. In clinical and preclinical studies, we found that 5αR inhibitors exerted marked anti-DAergic and tic-suppressing properties, suggesting a central role for this enzyme in TS pathogenesis. Based on these data, we hypothesise that enhancements in 5αR activity in early developmental stages may lead to an inappropriate activation of the 'backdoor' pathway for androgen synthesis from adrenarche until the end of puberty. We predict that the ensuing imbalances in steroid homeostasis may impair the signalling of DA and other neurotransmitters, ultimately resulting in the facilitation of tics and other behavioural abnormalities in TS.

Bisphenol A modifies the regulation exerted by testosterone on 5 α -reductase isozymes in ventral prostate of adult rats

The development, growth, and function of the prostate gland depend on androgen stimulation. The primary androgen in prostate is 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is synthesized from circulating testosterone (T) through the action of 5α-reductase (5α-R). Although 5α-R occurs as five isozymes, only 5α-R1 and 5α-R2 are physiologically involved in steroidogenesis. The endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) alters sexual organs, including the prostate. Our previous findings indicated that BPA decreased the expression of 5α-R1 and 5α-R2 in rat prostate but also circulating T. Thus, it is unclear whether BPA exerts this effect on 5α-R isozymes by reducing circulating T or by any other mechanism. In this study, we examine the effects of short-term exposure to BPA at doses below 25 μg/Kg/d and above 300 μg/Kg/d of the TDI on mRNA levels of 5α-R1 and 5α-R2 in prostate of adult castrated rats supplemented with T to achieve constant circulating T levels. mRNA levels were measured by absolute quantitative RT-PCR, T levels by RIA, and DHT levels by ELISA. Our results indicated that in castrated rats treated with T BPA at the two doses studied significantly decreased the mRNA levels of both 5α-R isozymes in a dose-dependent manner without modifications in circulating T.