Abstract
Testosterone was incubated with homogenate and mitochondrial, microsomal and soluble-fraction preparations of healthy and inflamed gingiva in human subjects of both sexes. In the inflamed preparations, the metabolic activity was higher than in the samples from healthy gingiva. The gingiva contained the following enzymic activities: Δ 4-5α-steroid hydrogenase, Δ 4-5β-steroid hydrogenase, and 3α-, 3β- and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, principally in the soluble fraction. Mitochondrial and microsomal preparations were less active. Both the healthy and especially the inflamed samples were able to convert testosterone to 17/gb-hydroxy -5α-androstan-3-one, suggesting that gingiva may be a target tissue for androgens.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
