Kamyab, Fotherby & Klopper (1968) showed that there were similarities between the in-vivo metabolism in man of ¹⁴C-labelled norethisterone (17α-ethynyl-19-nortestosterone) and lynestrenol (3-deoxynorethisterone) and suggested that some of these similarities might be due to the conversion of the latter to the former. The present communication describes such a conversion in vitro.

Rabbit liver was homogenized and incubated by the procedure described by Davidson & Fotherby (1965) except that: (1) each flask contained in addition 0·0012 m-NADPH, (2) the incubations proceeded for 16 hr., (3) ethyl acetate was used for extraction instead of benzene and (4) the residue obtained, following evaporation of the ethyl acetate, was submitted to a hexane-methanol partition (Fotherby, Colas, Atherden & Marrian, 1957). For the large-scale incubations, 20 mg. steroid in 0·2 ml. ethanol were added to an homogenate of 20 g. liver. Thin-layer chromatography was carried out using either silica gel G (Merck and

Oestrogens have been implicated as a cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Previous animal studies led to the hypothesis that oestrogens can stimulate prostate growth, resulting in hyperplasia of the gland. In humans, the precise role of oestrogens in BPH pathogenesis is currently unclear. We investigated the direct effects of oestradiol on the proliferation of BPH-derived prostate cells in culture. Oestradiol (10⁻⁷ and 10⁻⁶ M) moderately increased the proliferation of stromal cells in culture; this stimulation was antagonised by anti-oestrogen ICI 182 780, indicating an oestrogen receptor (ER)-mediated mechanism. By contrast, oestradiol had no effects on the proliferation of epithelial cells in culture. Parameters that can determine the response of stromal cells to oestrogens, including expression of the two ER subtypes and aromatase activity, were investigated. ERβ expression in stromal cells in culture was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis, and was confirmed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR showing higher expression of ERβ than ERα mRNA in stromal cells. Aromatase, the enzyme that converts androgen precursors to oestrogens, was also examined. Aromatase mRNA and activity were detected in stromal, but not epithelial cells in culture, suggesting a mechanism whereby oestrogen concentrations can be regulated in the BPH stroma. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that oestrogens play a role in the pathogenesis of BPH, a disease characterised predominantly by stromal overgrowth.

The expression and localisation of mRNAs for 5 alpha reductase Type I (5 alpha R-I) and Type II (5 alpha R-II) isoenzymes in human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were investigated by RT-PCR and by in mini hybridisation (ISH) using digoxigenin labelled riboprobes. In addition, we also examined the isoenzymes mRNA expression in primary BPH cultures of separated stroma/fibroblast and epithelial cells to determine whether primary cultures are appropriate models in which to investigate 5 alpha R activity and regulation. The results demonstrated conclusively the presence of mRNA encoding both isoenzymes in all specimens so far examined. Additionally, the presence of a functional 5 alpha R-I and -II activity in BPH was confirmed by enzyme assays. ISH studies localised the mRNA expression to both the fibroblast/stromal component as well as the epithelial cells of the hyperplastic tissue. In the glandular regions the expression for both isoenzymes was particularly strong in the basal layers of the epithelium whereas mRNA expression in the secretory cells was less pronounced. Expression of 5 alpha R-I and -II mRNAs in fibroblast was on the other hand variable with high expression in some areas and little in others. These findings were supported by our primary culture experiments which demonstrated that both the fibroblast and epithelial cells maintain a capacity to express both isoenzymes in vitro. In the case of the fibroblast, the capacity to express the isoenzymes was maintained following the sequential passaging of the cells up to passage 6, after which the cells no longer expressed either isoenzyme.

ABSTRACT

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) are hypothalamic peptides sharing considerable sequence homology which are postulated to be hypophysiotrophic releasing factors. When infused into man, PACAP has no effect on anterior pituitary hormone levels, while VIP causes a significant increase in circulating prolactin concentrations. However, PACAP has recently been shown to augment the release of LH and FSH in response to LHRH in rat anterior pituitary cell culture. In order to ascertain if either peptide has a similar effect in man, PACAP and VIP were infused at 3·6 pmol/kg per min into six healthy male volunteers, and an LHRH test was performed 30 min after the infusion was commenced. Infusion of PACAP did not alter the gonadotrophin response to LHRH significantly. However, VIP augmented the release of LH significantly, both during the infusion and for 30 min thereafter, although there was no effect on FSH release. Thus VIP, but not PACAP, potentiates the release of LH after LHRH injection in man.

Journal of Endocrinology (1993) 137, 529–532

ABSTRACT

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-OHSD) catalyses the reversible conversion of corticosterone to inactive 11-dehydrocorticosterone, thus regulating glucocorticoid access to mineralocorticoid and perhaps glucocorticoid receptors in vivo. 11β-OHSD has been purified from rat liver and an encoding cDNA isolated from a liver library. However, several lines of indirect evidence suggest the existence of at least two isoforms of 11β-OHSD, one found predominantly in glucocorticoid receptor-rich tissues and the other restricted to aldosterone-selective mineralocorticoid target tissues and placenta. Here we have examined the effects of chronic (10 day) manipulations of sex-steroid levels on 11β-OHSD enzyme activity and mRNA expression in liver, kidney and hippocampus and present further evidence for the existence of a second 11β-OHSD isoform in kidney.

Gonadectomized male and female rats were given testosterone, oestradiol or blank silicone elastomer capsules, controls were sham-operated. In male liver, gonadectomy+ oestradiol treatment led to a dramatic decrease in both 11β-OHSD activity (69 ± 8% decrease) and mRNA expression (97 ± 1% decrease). Gonadectomy and testosterone replacement had no effect on male liver 11β-OHSD. However, in female liver, where 11β-OHSD activity is approximately 50% of that in male liver, gonadectomy resulted in a marked increase in 11β-OHSD activity (120 ± 37% rise), which was reversed by oestradiol replacement but not testosterone treatment.

In male kidney, gonadectomy+oestradiol treatment resulted in a marked increase in 11β-OHSD activity (103 ± 4% rise). By contrast, 11β-OHSD mRNA expression was almost completely repressed (99 ± 0·1% decrease) by oestradiol treatment. This effect of oestradiol was reflected in a loss of 11β-OHSD mRNA in all regions of the kidney showing high expression by in-situ hybridization. In female kidney, oestradiol replacement also led to an increase in 11β-OHSD activity (70 ± 15% rise) while mRNA expression fell by 95 ± 3%. None of the treatments had any effect on enzyme activity or mRNA expression in the hippocampus, although transcription starts from the same promoter as liver.

We conclude that (i) sex steroids regulate 11β-OHSD enzyme activity and mRNA expression in a tissue-specific manner and (ii) the concurrence of increased enzyme activity with near absent 11β-OHSD mRNA expression in the kidney following oestradiol treatment suggests that an additional gene product is responsible, at least in part, for the high renal activity observed.

Journal of Endocrinology (1993) 139, 27–35

Abstract

11 β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD) catalyses the reversible metabolism of corticosterone to inert 11-dehydrocorticosterone. At least two isoforms exist. 11β-HSD-1, the first to be characterised and the only isoform for which a cDNA has been isolated, is highly expressed in liver, kidney and hippocampus. The activity of 11β-HSD in rat liver is higher in males, due to oestrogen repression of 11β-HSD-1 gene transcription in females. Sexual dimorphism in rodent liver proteins is frequently mediated indirectly via sex-specific patterns of GH release (continuous in females, pulsatile in males). We have now investigated whether this applies to 11β-HSD, using dwarf rats (congenitally deficient in GH) and hypophysectomised animals.

11β-HSD activity and 11β-HSD-1 mRNA expression in liver was significantly lower in control female than male rats (50% and 72% of male levels respectively). These sex differences in the liver were attenuated in dwarf rats, with both males and females showing similar levels of 11 β-HSD activity to control males. Administration of continuous (female pattern) GH to dwarf male rats decreased hepatic 11β-HSD activity (30% fall) and mRNA expression (77% fall), whereas the same total daily dose of GH given in the male (pulsatile) pattern had no effect on hepatic 11 β-HSD in female dwarf rats. Continuous GH also attenuated hepatic 11 β-HSD activity (25% fall) and 11β-HSD-1 mRNA expression (82% fall) in hypophysectomised animals. However, oestradiol itself suppressed hepatic 11β-HSD activity (25% fall) and 11β-HSD-1 mRNA expression (60% fall) in hypophysectomised rats.

Renal 11 β-HSD activity showed no sexual dimorphism in control or dwarf rats, although overall activity was lower in dwarf animals. By contrast, 11β-HSD-1 mRNA expression was higher in male than female kidney in both control and dwarf strains. Neither GH pattern had any effect on 11β-HSD activity or 11β-HSD-1 mRNA levels in the kidney of dwarf rats, although continuous GH attenuated 11β-HSD activity (28% fall) and 11β-HSD-1 mRNA expression in kidney (47% decrease) in hypophysectomised animals. Oestradiol attenuated renal 11β-HSD-1 mRNA expression (74% fall) in hypophysectomised rats, but increased enzyme activity (62% rise) in the kidney. None of the manipulations had any effect on hippocampal 11 β-HSD activity or gene expression.

These data demonstrate the following. (i) Sexual dimorphism of hepatic 11β-HSD is mediated, in part, via sex-specific patterns of GH secretion acting on 11β-HSD-1 gene expression. (ii) There is an additional direct repressive effect of oestrogen on hepatic 11β-HSD-1. (iii) Other tissue-specific factors are involved in regulating 11β-HSD-1, as neither peripheral GH nor oestrogen have effects upon hippocampal 11β-HSD-1. (iv) The regulation of 11β-HSD-1 mRNA expression in the kidney broadly parallels the liver. The lack of correlation between changes in expression of the 11β-HSD-1 gene and renal 11β-HSD activity reflects the presence of an additional gene product(s) in the kidney, the expression of which is largely independent of GH.

Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 143, 541–548

Endogenous glucocorticoid action is important in the structural and functional maturation of the fetal heart. In fetal mice, although glucocorticoid concentrations are extremely low before E14.5, glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is expressed in the heart from E10.5. To investigate whether activation of cardiac GR prior to E14.5 induces precocious fetal heart maturation, we administered dexamethasone in the drinking water of pregnant dams from E12.5 to E15.5. To test the direct effects of glucocorticoids upon the cardiovascular system we used SMGRKO mice, with Sm22-Cre-mediated disruption of GR in cardiomyocytes and vascular smooth muscle. Contrary to expectations, echocardiography showed no advancement of functional maturation of the fetal heart. Moreover, litter size was decreased 2 days following cessation of antenatal glucocorticoid exposure, irrespective of fetal genotype. The myocardial performance index and E/A wave ratio, markers of fetal heart maturation, were not significantly affected by dexamethasone treatment in either genotype. Dexamethasone treatment transiently decreased the myocardial deceleration index (MDI; a marker of diastolic function), in control fetuses at E15.5, with recovery by E17.5, 2 days after cessation of treatment. MDI was lower in SMGRKO than in control fetuses and was unaffected by dexamethasone. The transient decrease in MDI was associated with repression of cardiac GR in control fetuses following dexamethasone treatment. Measurement of glucocorticoid levels in fetal tissue and hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (Crh) mRNA levels suggest complex and differential effects of dexamethasone treatment upon the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis between genotypes. These data suggest potentially detrimental and direct effects of antenatal glucocorticoid treatment upon fetal heart function.

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11βHSD1) is a drug target to attenuate adverse effects of chronic glucocorticoid excess. It catalyses intracellular regeneration of active glucocorticoids in tissues including brain, liver and adipose tissue (coupled to hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, H6PDH). 11βHSD1 activity in individual tissues is thought to contribute significantly to glucocorticoid levels at those sites, but its local contribution vs glucocorticoid delivery via the circulation is unknown. Here, we hypothesised that hepatic 11βHSD1 would contribute significantly to the circulating pool. This was studied in mice with Cre-mediated disruption of Hsd11b1 in liver (Alac-Cre) vs adipose tissue (aP2-Cre) or whole-body disruption of H6pdh. Regeneration of [9,12,12-²H₃]-cortisol (d3F) from [9,12,12-²H₃]-cortisone (d3E), measuring 11βHSD1 reductase activity was assessed at steady state following infusion of [9,11,12,12-²H₄]-cortisol (d4F) in male mice. Concentrations of steroids in plasma and amounts in liver, adipose tissue and brain were measured using mass spectrometry interfaced with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation or liquid chromatography. Amounts of d3F were higher in liver, compared with brain and adipose tissue. Rates of appearance of d3F were ~6-fold slower in H6pdh^−/− mice, showing the importance for whole-body 11βHSD1 reductase activity. Disruption of liver 11βHSD1 reduced the amounts of d3F in liver (by ~36%), without changes elsewhere. In contrast disruption of 11βHSD1 in adipose tissue reduced rates of appearance of circulating d3F (by ~67%) and also reduced regenerated of d3F in liver and brain (both by ~30%). Thus, the contribution of hepatic 11βHSD1 to circulating glucocorticoid levels and amounts in other tissues is less than that of adipose tissue.