Chrysin, a natural flavonoid enhances steroidogenesis and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein gene expression in mouse Leydig cells

• DOI: 10.1677/joe-07-0282
• Publication Date: 2008-04-23T07:47:56Z
• Authors: Kuladip Jana; Xiangling Yin; Randolph B Schiffer; Jau-Jiin Chen; Akhilesh K Pandey; Douglas M Stocco; Paula Grammas; XingJia Wang
• Keywords: Chrysin

During the aging process of males, testosterone biosynthesis declines in testicular Leydig cells resulting decreases various physiological functions. To explore possibility delaying decline using food supplements, we have studied steroidogenic effects a natural flavonoid, chrysin, mouse cells. Chrysin dramatically increased cyclic AMP (cAMP)-induced steroidogenesis MA-10 tumor This result was confirmed isolated from testes. The effect chrysin is not associated with an increase expression P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme, required for conversion cholesterol to pregnenolone. In addition, when 22(R)hydroxylcholesterol used as substrate, induced non-significant steroid hormone, suggesting that majority observed due supply substrate cholesterol. These observations were corroborated by showing marked acute regulatory (StAR) protein, factor controls mitochondrial transfer. Also, significantly StAR promoter activity and mRNA level. Further studies indicated this compound depressed DAX-1, repressor gene transcription. absence cAMP, did steroidogenesis. However, sub-threshold level cAMP used, protein hormone levels seen maximal stimulation cAMP. results suggest while itself unable induce steroidogenesis, it appears function increasing sensitivity stimulation.