Effects of resveratrol analogs on steroidogenesis and mitochondrial function in rat Leydig cells in vitro

J Appl Toxicol. 2009 Nov;29(8):673-80. doi: 10.1002/jat.1456.

Abstract

Resveratrol and its analogs are considered to be a promising drug candidate for treatment of cancer and different age-associated diseases. In the present study we have investigated the effects of resveratrol and its synthetic analogs on steroidogenesis and mitochondrial function in primary cultures of rat Leydig cells. Our findings indicate that resveratrol and its analogs structure-dependently attenuated hCG-activated steroidogenesis in Leydig cells through suppression of the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and cytochrome P450c17. 3,5-Diacetyl resveratrol was observed to modulate mitochondrial function in Leydig cells, suppressing polarization of inner mitochondrial membrane, and 3,4,4'-trimethoxystilbene stimulated the overall activity of intracellular reductases involved in the reduction of WST-1 to formazan. Thus, the inhibitory actions of resveratrol analogs on steroidogenesis in Leydig cells indicate novel mechanisms of action of these compounds, which may be of potential therapeutic interest, where suppression of androgen action is needed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Androstenedione / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / pharmacology
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Leydig Cells / drug effects*
  • Leydig Cells / enzymology
  • Leydig Cells / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / drug effects*
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • Progesterone / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Resveratrol
  • Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / metabolism
  • Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
  • Steroids / metabolism*
  • Stilbenes / chemistry
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tetrazolium Salts / metabolism

Substances

  • 2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Steroids
  • Stilbenes
  • Tetrazolium Salts
  • Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
  • Androstenedione
  • Progesterone
  • Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase
  • Resveratrol