Abstract
To evaluate the action of 5α-androstane-3α,17⨿-diol(3α-diol) in rat sub-mandibular gland, 5α-reductase, 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD) and oxidative 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSDO) activities, and trypsin-like protease activities, were assayed in control, castrated and 3α-diol injected rats. 3α-Diol (1 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously in castrated male rats daily for 7 days. A 47% decrease of 5α-reductase activity in the nuclei and a 30% decrease of 3α-HSD(O) activities in the cytosol were shown after castration. 3α-Diol restored the 5α-reductase and 3α-HSD(O) activities to 82 and 140% of the control submandibular gland, respectively. 3α-Diol raised the trypsin-like protease activity to near control values in the submandibular gland of castrated rats. Morphological observations also revealed a distinct effect of 3α-diol on the number of granules of granular duct cells. It is concluded that 3α-diol has an androgenic action in the rat submandibular gland. It stimulates the 3α-HSD(O). The 3α-HSD(O) in its turn may be responsible for DHT accumulation in the cells.
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