Studies on Methotrexate Effects on Testicular Steroidogenesis in Rats

The effects of single dose, 4 consecutive days, 4 and 8 weekly doses of methotrexate (MTX) treatment (3 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly) with and without leucovorin (LCN) supplementation (0.3 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly) on serum testosterone titres, total, free and esterified cholesterol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Endocrine research 2000-01, Vol.26 (2), p.247-262
Main Authors: Badri, SNP, Vanithakumari, G., Malini, T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases - antagonists & inhibitors
17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases - blood
3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases - antagonists & inhibitors
3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases - blood
Animals
Cholesterol - blood
Cholesterol Esters - blood
Enzyme Inhibitors - pharmacology
Leucovorin - administration & dosage
Leucovorin - pharmacology
Male
Methotrexate - administration & dosage
Methotrexate - pharmacology
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Testis - drug effects
Testis - metabolism
Testosterone - biosynthesis
Testosterone - blood
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Summary:The effects of single dose, 4 consecutive days, 4 and 8 weekly doses of methotrexate (MTX) treatment (3 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly) with and without leucovorin (LCN) supplementation (0.3 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly) on serum testosterone titres, total, free and esterified cholesterol concentrations and steroidogenic enzymes, viz. 3β- and 17β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activities were studied in adult albino rats. MTX treatment caused a marked reduction in serum testosterone titres in all the treatment groups in a duration-dependent manner. LCN supplementation did not restore serum testosterone titres to normalcy. Total and free cholesterol concentrations remained unaltered in both MTX and MTX + LCN treated groups. On the otherhand, a marked increase in esterified cholesterol concentration was evident only in weekly dose treatment groups. The specific activities of 3β- and 17β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase were markedly diminished in both MTX and MTX + LCN treated groups. The results suggest the inhibitory effect of MTX on steroidogenisis.
ISSN:0743-5800
1532-4206
DOI:10.3109/07435800009066165