Suppression of testicular 17β-HSD3 and hepatic CYP1A2 by a bovine testes extract

A bovine testes extract (BTE) has been presently developed to be an alternative product for andropause-men. The effects of BTE on expression of four testicular genes responsible for sex hormones synthesis, namely Cyp11a1, Cyp17, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD3, as well as, on that of hepatic gene responsible for sex hormones synthesis 17β-HSD3, and a carcinogen activation related gene Cyp1a2 were investigated in comparison with the effect of male sex hormone testosterone (TE) at transcriptional level in male mice. Expression of CYP1A2 protein and methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD) activity were also evaluated. BTE did not change the testicular expression of CYP11A1, CYP17 and 3β-HSD mRNAs, while that of CYP11A1 was subsided by TE. Interestingly, administration of BTE for 3 weeks significantly suppressed testicular 17β-HSD3 and hepatic CYP1A2 mRNA. Correspondingly, MROD activity and expression of CYP1A2 protein in liver were significantly decreased. The findings revealed an advantageous contribution of BTE on debilitation of carcinogen activation pathway via Cyp1a2, though it did not convey a direct effect on testicular genes responsible for sex hormones synthesis.

Acknowledgements: The Center for Research and Development of Herbal Health Products (CRD-HHP), Khon Kaen University, Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, (TISTR), Thailand