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Abstract

Inhibition of 3ß- and 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in rat Leydig cells by perfluorooctane acid (HTML
Zhao,Binghai; Chu,Yanhui; Hardy,Dianne O.; Li,Xiao-Kun; Ge,Renshan
Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 118(1-2): 13-17
Publication date: 2010



Perfluorooctane acid (PFOA) is classified as a persistent organic pollutant and as an endocrine disruptor. The mechanism by which PFOA causes reduced testosterone production in males is not known. We tested our hypothesis that PFOA interferes with Leydig cell steroidogenic enzymes by measuring its effect on 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3ß-HSD) and 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 (17ß-HSD3) activities in rat testis microsomes and Leydig cells. The ICs of PFOA and mode of inhibition were assayed. PFOA inhibited microsomal 3ß-HSD with an IC of 53.2 ± 25.9 µM and 17ß-HSD3 with an IC 17.7 ± 6.8 µM. PFOA inhibited intact Leydig cell 3ß-HSD with an IC of 146.1 ± 0.9 µM and 17ß-HSD3 with an IC of 194.8 ± 1.0 µM. The inhibitions of 3ß-HSD and 17ß-HSD3 by PFOA were competitive for the substrates. In conclusion, PFOA inhibits 3ß-HSD and 17ß-HSD3 in rat Leydig cells.




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