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Sharma K, Lanzilotto A, Yakubu J, Therkelsen S, Vöegel CD, Du Toit T, Jørgensen FS, Pandey AV. Effect of Essential Oil Components on the Activity of Steroidogenic Cytochrome P450. Biomolecules 2024; 14:203. [PMID: 38397440 PMCID: PMC10887332 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may impact the development of prostate cancer (PCa) by altering the steroid metabolism. Although their exact mechanism of action in controlling tumor growth is not known, EDCs may inhibit steroidogenic enzymes such as CYP17A1 or CYP19A1 which are involved in the production of androgens or estrogens. High levels of circulating androgens are linked to PCa in men and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in women. Essential oils or their metabolites, like lavender oil and tea tree oil, have been reported to act as potential EDCs and contribute towards sex steroid imbalance in cases of prepubertal gynecomastia in boys and premature thelarche in girls due to the exposure to lavender-based fragrances. We screened a range of EO components to determine their effects on CYP17A1 and CYP19A1. Computational docking was performed to predict the binding of essential oils with CYP17A1 and CYP19A1. Functional assays were performed using the radiolabeled substrates or Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry and cell viability assays were carried out in LNCaP cells. Many of the tested compounds bind close to the active site of CYP17A1, and (+)-Cedrol had the best binding with CYP17A1 and CYP19A1. Eucalyptol, Dihydro-β-Ionone, and (-)-α-pinene showed 20% to 40% inhibition of dehydroepiandrosterone production; and some compounds also effected CYP19A1. Extensive use of these essential oils in various beauty and hygiene products is common, but only limited knowledge about their potential detrimental side effects exists. Our results suggest that prolonged exposure to some of these essential oils may result in steroid imbalances. On the other hand, due to their effect on lowering androgen output and ability to bind at the active site of steroidogenic cytochrome P450s, these compounds may provide design ideas for novel compounds against hyperandrogenic disorders such as PCa and PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katyayani Sharma
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; (K.S.); (A.L.); (J.Y.); (S.T.); (T.D.T.)
- Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Angelo Lanzilotto
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; (K.S.); (A.L.); (J.Y.); (S.T.); (T.D.T.)
- Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Jibira Yakubu
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; (K.S.); (A.L.); (J.Y.); (S.T.); (T.D.T.)
- Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Søren Therkelsen
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; (K.S.); (A.L.); (J.Y.); (S.T.); (T.D.T.)
- Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Clarissa Daniela Vöegel
- Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Therina Du Toit
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; (K.S.); (A.L.); (J.Y.); (S.T.); (T.D.T.)
- Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Amit V. Pandey
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, University Children’s Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; (K.S.); (A.L.); (J.Y.); (S.T.); (T.D.T.)
- Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland;
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Alorini T, Al-Hakimi AN, Daoud I, Alminderej F, Albadri AEAE, Aroua L. Synthesis, characterization, anticancer activity and molecular docking of metal complexes bearing a new Schiff base ligand. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:10969-10984. [PMID: 36961125 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2191725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
2-((E)-((4-(((E)-4-Nitrobenzylidene)amino)phenyl)imino)methyl)naphthalen-1-ol, was synthesised followed by metalation with Fe(III), Co(III), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) metals. The compounds were characterised by different methods CHN, AAS, IR, NMR, XRD, TGA and UV-Vis. The results reveal that the ligand has bidentate behavior, and it is bound with metals by a coordination bond through both the nitrogen atom of the azomethine group and the oxygen atom, this provided an octahedral geometry. The X-ray diffraction of the compounds indicate that the ligands and complexes of Co(III), Fe(III) and Zn(II) have a crystalline nature, whereas the Ni(II) and Cu(II) have an amorphous structure. The agar diffusion method (hole plate) was used to evaluate the ligand's and its complexes' antibacterial and antifungal effects on Salmonella enterica serovar typhi and Candida albicans, respectively. It was observed that the Fe(III) complex had the best activity among the compounds against microbial strains. Cytotoxicity of new metal complexes was also assessed against A549, HepG-2 and PC-3 cancer cells. Results demonstrated that the Cu(II) complex displayed the preeminent activity among the synthesised compounds against all the tested cell lines. Furthermore, molecular docking simulation revealed that the Fe(III) complex is shown to have a high affinity with the active sites of two targets of microbial strains. Also, the Cu(II) complex shown to has a high affinity with the active sites of three targets of A-549, HepG-2 and PC-3 cancer cells, which was confirmed by the formation of the different modes of interaction.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thamer Alorini
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed N Al-Hakimi
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Ibb University, Ibb, Yemen
| | - Ismail Daoud
- Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Natural Substances and Bioactive (LASNABIO), University Abou-Bakr Belkaid, Tlemcen, Algeria
- Department of Matter Sciences, University of Mohamed Khider Biskra, Biskra, Algeria
| | - Fahad Alminderej
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abuzar E A E Albadri
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lotfi Aroua
- Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Qassim University, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
- Laboratory of Organic Structural Chemistry & Macromolecules, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Tunis El-Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia
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Joshi BP, Bhandare VV, Vankawala M, Patel P, Patel R, Vyas B, Krishnamurty R. Friedelin, a novel inhibitor of CYP17A1 in prostate cancer from Cassia tora. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:9695-9720. [PMID: 36373336 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2022.2145497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In prostate cancer (PC), drugs targeting CYP17A1 have shown great success in regulating PC progression. However, successful drug molecules show adverse side effects and therapeutic resistance in PC. Therefore, we proposed to discover the potent phytochemical-based inhibitor against CYP17A1 using virtual screening. In this study, a phytochemicals library of ∼13800 molecules was selected to screen the best possible inhibitors against CYP17A1. A molecular modelling approach investigated detailed intermolecular interactions, their structural stability, and binding affinity. Further, in vitro and in vivo studies were performed to confirm the anticancer activity of identified potential inhibitor against CYP17A1. Friedelin from Cassia tora (CT) is identified as the best possible inhibitor from the screened library. MD simulation study reveals stable binding of Friedelin to conserved binding pocket of CYP17A1 with higher binding affinity than studied control, that is, Orteronel. Friedelin was tested on hormone-sensitive (22Rv1) and insensitive (DU145) cell lines and the IC50 value was found to be 72.025 and 81.766 µg/ml, respectively. CT extract showed a 25.28% IC50 value against 22Rv1, ∼92.6% increase in late Apoptosis/Necrosis, and three folds decrease in early apoptosis in treated cells compared to untreated cells. Further, animal studies show a marked decrease in prostate weight by 39.6% and prostate index by 36.5%, along with a reduction in serum PSA level by 71.7% and testosterone level by 92.4% compared to the testosterone group, which was further validated with histopathological studies. Thus, we propose Friedelin and CT extract as potential leads, which could be taken further for drug development in PC.[Figure: see text]Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mahima Vankawala
- Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Prittesh Patel
- C. G. Bhakta Institute of Biotechnology, Uka Tarsadia University, Tarsadi, Surat, Gujarat, India
| | - Rajesh Patel
- Bioinformatics and Supercomputer Lab., Department of Biosciences (UGC-SAP-DRS-II & DST-FIST-I), Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat, Gujarat, India
| | - Bhavin Vyas
- Department of Pharmacology, Maliba Pharmacy College, Uka Tarsadia University, Tarsadi, Surat, Gujarat, India
| | - Ramar Krishnamurty
- C. G. Bhakta Institute of Biotechnology, Uka Tarsadia University, Tarsadi, Surat, Gujarat, India
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Wróbel TM, Sharma K, Mannella I, Oliaro-Bosso S, Nieckarz P, Du Toit T, Voegel CD, Rojas Velazquez MN, Yakubu J, Matveeva A, Therkelsen S, Jørgensen FS, Pandey AV, Pippione AC, Lolli ML, Boschi D, Björkling F. Exploring the Potential of Sulfur Moieties in Compounds Inhibiting Steroidogenesis. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1349. [PMID: 37759751 PMCID: PMC10526780 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study reports on the synthesis and evaluation of novel compounds replacing the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring on the chemical backbone structure of cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/12,20-lyase (CYP17A1) inhibitors with a phenyl bearing a sulfur-based substituent. Initial screening revealed compounds with marked inhibition of CYP17A1 activity. The selectivity of compounds was thereafter determined against cytochrome P450 21-hydroxylase, cytochrome P450 3A4, and cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase. Additionally, the compounds showed weak inhibitory activity against aldo-keto reductase 1C3 (AKR1C3). The compounds' impact on steroid hormone levels was also assessed, with some notable modulatory effects observed. This work paves the way for developing more potent dual inhibitors specifically targeting CYP17A1 and AKR1C3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz M. Wróbel
- Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20093 Lublin, Poland
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Katyayani Sharma
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Children’s Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Iole Mannella
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | | | - Patrycja Nieckarz
- Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Therina Du Toit
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Children’s Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Clarissa Daniela Voegel
- Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Inselspital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maria Natalia Rojas Velazquez
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Children’s Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jibira Yakubu
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Children’s Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Anna Matveeva
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Children’s Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Søren Therkelsen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Flemming Steen Jørgensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Amit V. Pandey
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Children’s Hospital, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
- Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Agnese C. Pippione
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Marco L. Lolli
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Donatella Boschi
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, 10125 Turin, Italy
| | - Fredrik Björkling
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Jagtvej 160, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Wróbel TM, Jørgensen FS, Pandey AV, Grudzińska A, Sharma K, Yakubu J, Björkling F. Non-steroidal CYP17A1 Inhibitors: Discovery and Assessment. J Med Chem 2023; 66:6542-6566. [PMID: 37191389 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
CYP17A1 is an enzyme that plays a major role in steroidogenesis and is critically involved in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones. Therefore, it remains an attractive target in several serious hormone-dependent cancer diseases, such as prostate cancer and breast cancer. The medicinal chemistry community has been committed to the discovery and development of CYP17A1 inhibitors for many years, particularly for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer. The current Perspective reflects upon the discovery and evaluation of non-steroidal CYP17A1 inhibitors from a medicinal chemistry angle. Emphasis is placed on the structural aspects of the target, key learnings from the presented chemotypes, and design guidelines for future inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz M Wróbel
- Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20093 Lublin, Poland
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Flemming Steen Jørgensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Amit V Pandey
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University Children's Hospital, Inselspital, Bern and Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 15, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Angelika Grudzińska
- Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Katyayani Sharma
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University Children's Hospital, Inselspital, Bern and Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 15, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jibira Yakubu
- Pediatric Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics, University Children's Hospital, Inselspital, Bern and Translational Hormone Research Program, Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 15, 3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Fredrik Björkling
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Exploring the Chemical Space of CYP17A1 Inhibitors Using Cheminformatics and Machine Learning. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041679. [PMID: 36838665 PMCID: PMC9966999 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) is one of the key enzymes in steroidogenesis that produces dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) from cholesterol. Abnormal DHEA production may lead to the progression of severe diseases, such as prostatic and breast cancers. Thus, CYP17A1 is a druggable target for anti-cancer molecule development. In this study, cheminformatic analyses and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling were applied on a set of 962 CYP17A1 inhibitors (i.e., consisting of 279 steroidal and 683 nonsteroidal inhibitors) compiled from the ChEMBL database. For steroidal inhibitors, a QSAR classification model built using the PubChem fingerprint along with the extra trees algorithm achieved the best performance, reflected by the accuracy values of 0.933, 0.818, and 0.833 for the training, cross-validation, and test sets, respectively. For nonsteroidal inhibitors, a systematic cheminformatic analysis was applied for exploring the chemical space, Murcko scaffolds, and structure-activity relationships (SARs) for visualizing distributions, patterns, and representative scaffolds for drug discoveries. Furthermore, seven total QSAR classification models were established based on the nonsteroidal scaffolds, and two activity cliff (AC) generators were identified. The best performing model out of these seven was model VIII, which is built upon the PubChem fingerprint along with the random forest algorithm. It achieved a robust accuracy across the training set, the cross-validation set, and the test set, i.e., 0.96, 0.92, and 0.913, respectively. It is anticipated that the results presented herein would be instrumental for further CYP17A1 inhibitor drug discovery efforts.
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How Is CYP17A1 Activity Altered in Autism? A Pilot Study to Identify Potential Pharmacological Targets. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12060867. [PMID: 35743898 PMCID: PMC9225657 DOI: 10.3390/life12060867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: Increasing evidence exists that higher levels of androgens can be found in individuals with autism. Evidence yields to a susceptible role of Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) with its catalyzation of the two distinct types of substrate oxidation by a hydroxylase activity (17-alpha hydroxylase) and C17/20 lyase activity. However, to what extent steps are altered in affected children with autism versus healthy controls remains to be elucidated. Methods: Urine samples from 48 boys with autism (BMI 19.1 ± 0.6 kg/m2, age 14.2 ± 0.5 years) and a matched cohort of 48 healthy boys (BMI 18.6 ± 0.3 kg/m2, 14.3 ± 0.5 years) as well as 16 girls with autism (BMI 17.5 ± 0.7 kg/m2, age 13.8 ± 1.0 years) and a matched cohort of 16 healthy girls (BMI 17.2 ± 0.8 kg/m2, age 13.2 ± 0.8 years) were analyzed for steroid hormone metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: The activity of 17-alpha Hydroxylase increased by almost 50%, whereas activity of 17/20 Lyase activity increased by around 150% in affected children with autism. Furthermore, the concentration of Cortisol was higher as compared to the average increase of the three metabolites TH-Corticosterone, 5α-TH-Corticosterone and TH-11β-DH-Corticosterone, indicating, in addition, a stimulation by the CRH-ACTH system despite a higher enzymatic activity. Discussion: As it was shown that oxidative stress increases the 17/20-lyase activity via p38α, a link between higher steroid hormone levels and oxidative stress can be established. However, as glucocorticoid as well as androgen metabolites showed higher values in subjects affected with autism as compared to healthy controls, the data indicate, despite higher CYP17A1 activity, the presence of increased substrate availability in line with the Cholesterol theory of autism.
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