5-alpha-Reductase
Testosterone

5alpha-reductase+and+thyroid

Stimulatory effect of insulin on 5alpha-reductase type 1 (SRD5A1) expression through an Akt-dependent pathway in ovarian granulosa cells., 2010

• Elevated levels of 5α-reduced androgens have been shown to be associated with hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinemia, the leading causes of ovulatory dysfunction in women. 5α-Dihydrotestosterone reduces ovarian granulosa cell proliferation by inhibiting FSH-mediated mitogenic signaling pathways. The present study examined the effect of insulin on 5α-reductase, the enzyme that catalyses the conversion of androgens to their 5α-derivatives. Granulosa cells isolated from immature rat ovaries were cultured in serum-free, phenol red-free DMEM-F12 media and treated with different doses of insulin (0, 0.1, 1.0, and 10.0 μg/ml) for different time intervals up to 12 h. The expression of 5α-reductase type 1 mRNA, the predominant isoform found in granulosa cells, showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in response to the insulin treatment up to 12 h compared with control. The catalytic activity of 5α-reductase enzyme was also stimulated in a dose-depended manner (P<0.05). Inhibiting the Akt-dependent signaling pathway abolished the insulin-mediated increase in 5α-reductase mRNA expression, whereas inhibition of the ERK-dependent pathway had no effect. The dose-dependent increase in 5α-reductase mRNA expression as well as catalytic activity seen in response to insulin treatment was also demonstrated in the human granulosa cell line (KGN). In addition to increased mRNA expression, a dose-dependent increase in 5α-reductase protein expression in response to insulin was also seen in KGN cells, which corroborated well with that of mRNA expression. These results suggest that elevated levels of 5α-reduced androgens seen in hyperinsulinemic conditions might be explained on the basis of a stimulatory effect of insulin on 5α-reductase in granulosa cells. The elevated levels of these metabolites, in turn, might adversely affect growth and proliferation of granulosa cells, thereby impairing follicle growth and ovulation.

Cyclosporin A

Greater conversion of testosterone to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone, reflecting increased peripheral 5 alpha-reductase activity in nude mice treated with high doses of cyclosporine A. 1990

• Abstract
  Following cyclosporine A (CsA) immunosuppressive therapy in kidney grafts, increased body hair growth (hypertrichosis and/or hirsutism) without significant variation in normal circulating plasma androgen levels (as observed in idiopathic hirsutism) has been reported by several authors. Other authors have described increased hair growth in nude mice treated with CsA. In order to evaluate the action of this drug in target tissues, using dorsal skin homogenates from nude mice treated with various doses of CsA, we measured the metabolic conversion of testosterone (T) to its 5 alpha-reduced products, reflecting 5 alpha-reductase activity (5 alpha-RA). Three groups of 5 female nude mice were treated with an oral suspension containing CsA 5 mg/kg (group 1), 25 mg/kg (group 2) and 100 mg/kg (group 3), respectively, and the results, including 5 alpha-DHT and Adiol formation, were compared with those obtained in a control group (n = 5) receiving only the olive oil vehicle. Cutaneous metabolic conversion of T was determined using tritiated T as substrate. After 1 h of incubation, 5 alpha-DHT and other 5 alpha-reduced products formed were separated and quantified using a reverse-phase chromatography column fitted to a flow-through radioactivity detector. Mean +/- SD 5 alpha-DHT formation (expressed as pmol per 100 mg of protein per h) was found to be increased in the treated groups (group 1: 3.17 +/- 0.37, group 2: 3.10 +/- 0.13, group 3: 4.26 +/- 0.20), respectively 7.5% (NS), 5.10% (NS) and 44.4% (P = 0.01) higher than in the control group (2.95 +/- 0.13). In addition to 5 alpha-DHT, enhanced formation of delta 4-androstenedione (delta 4), 5 alpha-androstan-3 beta,17 beta-diol (3 beta-diol) and 5 alpha-androstan-3 alpha,17 beta-diol (3 alpha-diol) were also observed in the treated groups. These results show a significantly increased formation of 5 alpha-DHT (and Adiol) in nude mice treated with high dose-levels of CsA.

Androgen metabolism in gingival hyperplasia induced by nifedipine and cyclosporin. 1990

• Abstract
  Three cases of gingival overgrowth induced by cyclosporin and/or nifedipine have been reported. Patient A was under medication with cyclosporin plus nifedipine, patient B with nifedipine only and patient C with cyclosporin only. The significance of androgen metabolism in gingival tissue with respect to hyperplastic changes has been studied by several workers. Hence, we have investigated whether gingival tissue from the above patients showed significant metabolism of the androgen, testosterone, to its biologically-active form, 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT). Radical gingivectomy was carried out in all 3 cases to remove the hyperplastic tissue. The excised tissue was incubated with labelled testosterone in order to study the extent of androgen metabolism. Healthy gingivae from males and females produced 5 alpha-DHT (22.4 +/- 7.7, s.e.m., n = 8). Very significantly higher values (p less than 0.001) were recorded for patients A, B and C (1139, 542 and 994 fmol/mg, respectively). These represented increases of 51-, 24- and 44.4-fold, respectively over control values. Corresponding production of 4-androstenedione from testosterone was 28 +/- 8.3, s.e.m., n = 8, fmol/mg. In patients A, B and C, 4-androstenedione production was elevated: 85, 901 and 113 fmol/mg, respectively, representing increases of 3-, 32- and 4-fold. Even the lower values of 85 and 113 fmol/mg were very highly significant (p less than 0.001) compared with control values. Although healthy female gingival tissue does not metabolize testosterone significantly, in the presence of inflammation the extent of 5 alpha-DHT formation is comparable to that of male samples.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS).

P-glycoprotein increases the efflux of the androgen dihydrotestosterone and reduces androgen responsive gene activity in prostate tumor cells. 2004

Effects of cyclosporins and transforming growth factor beta 1 on thyroid hormone action in cultured fetal rat limb bones. 1992

Metabolism of testosterone to 5-dihydro-testosterone

Metabolism of testosterone to 5-dihydrotestosterone is essential for initiation of the differentiation and development of the urogenital sinus into the prostate. Differentiation of male external genitalia (penis, scrotum and urethra) also strongly depends on the conversion of testosterone to 5-dihydrotestosterone in the urogenital tubercle, labioscrotal swellings and urogenital folds (9).
The irreversible conversion of testosterone to 5-dihydrotestosterone is catalyzed by the microsomal enzyme 5-alpha reductase. It converts testosterone into more potent Dihydrotestosterone (DTH).
There are two isoenzymes, steroid 5-alpha reductase 1 and 2 (SRD5A1 and SRD5A2):

1. Enzyme 5-reductase type 2 (SRD5A2) is NADPH dependent (10) figure 3.
   • The cDNA of the gene for 5-reductase type 2 codes for a protein of 254 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 28,398 Dalton (11) .
     The NH2-terminal part of the protein contains a subdomain supposedly involved in testosterone binding, while the COOH-terminal region is involved in NADPH-binding (12) .
   • The gene is located on chromosome 2 at locus 2p23. Elucidation of the organization of the 5-reductase type 2 gene revealed 5 coding exons (11) .
   • The enzyme has a pH optimum at pH 5.5 in broken cell preparations, but may function optimally in the native state in intact cells at neutral pH and has an apparent Km for testosterone of 4-50 nM. The apparent Km for NADPH is 3-10 <61549>M. High expression of 5-reductase type 2 is observed in prostate tissue.
   • Mutations and deletions in the 5-reductase type 2 gene have been found to be the molecular basis for the syndrome of 5-Reductase type 2 deficiency (12) .
2. The 5-reductase type 1 (SRD5A1) isozyme, also catalyzing the conversion of testosterone to 5-dihydrotestosterone, differs from the type 2 isozyme in its amino acid composition, kinetics, biochemical properties, substrate specificity, tissue distribution and pH optimum (10, 13 ).
   • The type 1 enzyme is not involved in androgen dependent male sexual differentiation.
   • The 5-reductase type 1 cDNA codes for a protein of 259 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 29,462 Dalton (13) . The gene is located on chromosome 5 at locus 5p15 (10).
   • The apparent Km for testosterone is 1-5 mM and for NADPH 3-10 mM. The expression of 5-reductase type 1 in prostate tissue is relatively low.
   • Male mice with a disruption of the 5-reductase type 1 gene have a normal phenotype and are fertile. However, female mice with a null allele, have a severe parturition defect, suggesting a role of 5-reduced androgens synthesized by the type 1 isozyme normal female physiology (14) .

The difference in pH optima between 5-reductase type 1 and type 2 enzymes can be used diagnostically for the differential assessment of the individual isoenzymes in genital skin fibroblasts of patients with the syndrome of 5-reductase deficiency ( 12 , 10).

Figure 3. Metabolism of Testosterone to 5a-Dihydrotestosterone by the enzyme 5a-Reductase type 2 (SDR5A2).

• 10. Russell DW., and Wilson JD. (1994) Steroid 5 alpha-reductase: two genes/two enzymes. Annu Rev Biochem 63, 25-61.
• 11. Andersson S., Berman DM., Jenkins EP., and Russell DW. (1991) Deletion of steroid 5 alpha-reductase 2: gene in male pseudohermaphroditism. Nature 354, 159-161.
• 12. Wilson JD., Griffin JE., and Russell DW. (1993) Steroid 5 alpha-reductase 2 deficiency. Endocr Rev 14, 577-593.
• 13. Andersson S., Bishop RW., and Russell DW. (1989) Expression cloning and regulation of steroid 5 alpha-reductase, an enzyme essential for male sexual differentiation. J Biol Chem 264, 16249-16255.
• 14. Mahendroo MS., Cala KM., and Russell DW. (1996) 5 alpha-reduced androgens play a key role in murine parturition. Mol Endocrinol 10, 380-392.

BJU Int. 2010 Nov;106(10):1444-51. doi: 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2010.09714.x.
5-α-Reductase inhibitors for prostate cancer chemoprevention: an updated Cochrane systematic review. 2010
Wilt TJ, Macdonald R, Hagerty K, Schellhammer P, Tacklind J, Somerfield MR, Kramer BS.

Minneapolis VA Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA. tim.wilt@va.gov
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: • To estimate the benefits and harms of 5-α-reductase inhibitors (5-α-RIs) in preventing prostate cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: • We searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane Collaboration Library through June 2010 to identify randomized trials. • We included articles if they examined 5-α-RI vs control, were ≥ 1 year in duration and provided clinical outcomes. • Our primary outcome was prostate cancer period-prevalence 'for-cause'.

RESULTS: • Eight studies met inclusion criteria but only the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial and the Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events were designed to assess the impact of 5-α-RIs on prostate cancer period-prevalence. The mean age of enrolees was 64 years, 92% were White, and mean PSA level was 3.1 ng/mL. For-cause prostate cancers comprised 54% of all cancers detected in placebo-controlled studies. • Compared with placebo, 5-α-RI resulted in a 25% relative risk (RR) reduction in prostate cancers detected for-cause [RR 0.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67-0.83; 1.4% absolute risk reduction (3.5% vs 4.9%)]. One BPH trial reported that the risk of prostate cancers detected for-cause was significantly reduced with dutasteride and combined dutasteride plus tamsulosin compared with tamsulosin monotherapy. • Six trials vs placebo assessed prostate cancers detected overall. There was a 26% RR reduction favouring 5-α-RI [RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.55-1.00; 2.9% absolute risk reduction (6.3% vs 9.2%)]. There were reductions across categories of age, race and family history of prostate cancer. • One placebo-controlled trial of men that investigators considered at greater risk for prostate cancer (based on age, elevated PSA level and having a previous suspicion of prostate cancer leading to a prostate biopsy) reported that dutasteride did not reduce prostate cancers detected for-cause based on needle-biopsy but did reduce risk of overall incident prostate cancer detected by biopsy by 23%[RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.70-0.85; absolute reduction 16.1% vs 20.8%]. There were reductions across age, family history of prostate cancer, PSA level, and prostate volume subgroups. • Incidences of erectile dysfunction, ejaculate volume, decreased libido, and gynaecomastia were greater with 5-α-RI vs placebo.

Finasteride treatment and neuroactive steroid formation. 2009

• Finasteride is the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor that received clinical approval for the treatment of human benign prostate hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia. The 5alpha-reductase is enzyme responsible for the reduction of testosterone to dihydrostestosterone, progesterone to dihydroprogesterone and deoxycorticosterone to dihydrodeoxycorticosterone, steroids modulating the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid on GABA receptors. These neuroactive steroids possess anticonvulsant, antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of finasteride therapy on a broad steroid spectrum in men with benign prostate hyperplasia. A group of 20 men with benign prostate hyperplasia was involved in the present study. Finasteride in the daily dose of 5 mg/day was administrated for 4 months. In all individuals, their hormonal profile of steroid hormones was determined before and after 4 months lasting finasteride treatment. Finasteride treatment resulted in a significant decrease all alpha-reduced and increase of most 5beta-reduced metabolites of testosterone and progesterone as well as in an increase of 7alpha-hydoxyderivatives, which are known as neuroactive steroids acting by modulation of GABAA and NMAD receptors in the brain. In the course of finasteride treatment the decrease of the concentration of circulating steroids with known inhibitory activity on GABA-ergic excitation in the brain is very probably an important factors contributing to the development of the symptoms of depression seen in some isolated cases of finasteride administration.