Inhibition of bufalin on pituitary and testicular function in rats

Shyi Wu Wang, Yu Chung Chiao, Shiow Chwen Tsai, Chien Chen Lu, Jiann Jong Chen, Hsi Chang Shih, Yen Hao Chen, Ho Lin, Chii Min Hwu, Paulus S. Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effects of bufalin on the secretion of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) and the accumulation of testicular adenosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) were studied. Male rats were injected with bufalin, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), hCG plus bufalin or GnRH plus bufalin via a jugular catheter. Blood samples were collected at several intervals subsequent to the challenge. In the in vitro study, rat testis blocks were incubated with bufalin, hCG or both for 1 h. The anterior pituitary gland was incubated with bufalin, GnRH or both for 30 min. The media were analyzed for testosterone or LH. For studying cAMP accumulation, testicular blocks were incubated for 1 h with the medium containing isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. After incubation, tissues were extracted by ethanol before measuring cAMP concentration. A single intravenous injection of bufalin decreased the basal and hCG-stimulated levels of plasma testosterone. Administration of bufalin in vitro resulted in an inhibition of both basal and hCG-stimulated release of testosterone. Bufalin diminished cAMP accumulation in rat testes. However, the basal levels of plasma and medium LH were not altered by bufalin administration. Likewise, the LH response to GnRH was diminished by bufalin administration, both in vivo and in vitro. These results suggest that the inhibition of testosterone production by bufalin is partly caused by a decrease of testicular cAMP accumulation and LH response to GnRH in rats.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)528-532
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
Volume283
Issue number2
StatePublished - Nov 1 1997

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Medicine
  • Pharmacology

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