Metabolic Profiles of Androgens in Malignant Human Liver Cell Lines

• DOI: 10.1196/annals.1386.028
• Publication Date: 2007-02-02T18:28:39Z
• Authors: ORAZIA M. GRANATA; LETIZIA COCCIADIF...; VITALE MICELI; LUCIA M. POLITO; ILDEGARDA CAMPISI; GIUSEPPE CARRUBA
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences; Aromatase; Cell Line, Tumor; Liver Neoplasms; Androgens; Androstenedione; Humans; Estrogens; Testosterone; Sulfotransferases; Cell Proliferation

In this study we have investigated androgen (testosterone and androstenedione) metabolism in malignant HepG2, Huh-7, HA22T human liver cell lines. Following 72-h incubation with testosterone or androstenedione, estrogen formation through aromatase activity was consistently higher HepG2 cells (being nearly 100%) moderate Huh7 (34%), while it undetectable cells. The produced estrogens are completely conjugated by sulpho-transferase (EST) cells, 25% remains the free form Huh-7 show a markedly different balance of 5alpha- versus 5beta-reduced androgens (65.7% vs. 2.5% 2.6% 22.2%, respectively), no detectable 5alpha/5beta-reduced is formed These divergent metabolic profiles, coupling to EST, 5alpha/5beta-reductase, hint at differential regulation pathways that may ultimately lead distinct impact biologically active metabolites on growth function cancer