Effect Of Testosterone Propionate Research Articles

Testosterone alleviates mitochondrial ROS accumulation and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in the gastric mucosa of orchiectomized rats

The effects of testosterone propionate (TP) on the oxidative stress and mitochondrial function, as well as on mitochondria associated apoptotic signaling, were analyzed in the gastric mucosa in orchiectomized male rats. The present study showed that testosterone deficiency triggered apoptosis by damaging the mitochondrial function (ROS overload generation, membrane potential loss, ATP depletion, etc.), increasing both the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c (Cyt c) and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and activating caspase-9 and caspase-3. Supplements of testosterone propionate to castrated male rats ameliorated mitochondrial function and confirmed the involvement of the mitochondrial pathway in the gastric mucosa. These results suggest that testosterone could maintain the mitochondrial function of the gastric mucosa and mediate mitochondria-associated apoptotic signaling.

Testosterone Propionate Promotes Angiogenesis and Nerve Regeneration in Extensor Digitorrum Longus Muscle Grafts

Androgens are renowned for improving the process of skeletal muscle regeneration. They are potent agents for quick reinnervation of nerves and angiogenesis in muscle grafts. So far several studies have reported their anabolic roles in clinical transplantations. In the current study, effects of testosterone propionate (TP) onextensordigitorrumlongus muscle grafts were studied. It was noticed that TP supplementation caused significant increase in blood vessels and nerves diameter along with their walls thickness up to 2nd week. Then there was a gradual decrease observed in the above mentioned pattern till end of 4thweek of the hormone supply. It was found that over dosage caused negative effects on the process of regeneration in EDL muscle grafts and resulted in shrinkage of nerves and vascular supply.

Effects of Stimulation and Blockade of D2 Dopamine Receptors on the Behavior of Gonadectomized Male Rats

The present study aims to perform the comparative assessment of stimulation and blockade for D2-dopaminergic receptors in depression-like behavior in male rats with deficiency of androgen hormones. Two weeks after surgery, GDX rats began 14 days of treatment with vehicle, a low dose of testosterone propionate (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.), quinpirole (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.), sulpiride (10.0 mg/kg, i.p.), quinpirole plus testosterone propionate or sulpiride plus testosterone propionate. The animals were then tested in forced swimming test (FST) and the open field test (OFT). Quinpirole administered alone or in a combination with a low dose of testosterone propionate resulted in antidepressant-like effect in GDX rats in the FST. Repeated treatment of quinpirole and testosterone propionate profoundly increased antidepressant-like effect of the single substances they exert per se. Application of neither quinpirole nor quinpirole plus testosterone propionate led to any changes of behavioral reactions in GDX rats in the OFT, except increased grooming behavior. On the contrary, sulpiride treatment failed to alter depression-like behavior in GDX rats in the FST. In addition, sulpiride blocked the antidepressant-like effect of testosterone propionate in GDX rats and its combination with a low dose of testosterone propionate induced prodepressant-like effect in GDX rats. Co-administration of sulpiride with testosterone propionate or its single application increased frequency of rearing and grooming in GDX rats in the OFT. In summary, the results of the present study suggest that stimulation of D2-dopaminergic receptors results in antidepressant-like effect at androgen deficiency in male rats, while blockade of D2-dopaminergic receptors resulted in prodepressant-like effect.

Deficits in coordinated motor behavior and in nigrostriatal dopaminergic system ameliorated and VMAT2 expression up-regulated in aged male rats by administration of testosterone propionate

The effects of testosterone propionate (TP) supplements on the coordinated motor behavior and nigrostriatal dopaminergic (NSDA) system were analyzed in aged male rats. The present study showed the coordinated motor behavioral deficits, the reduced activity of NSDA system and the decreased expression of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in 24month-old male rats. Long term TP treatment improved the motor coordination dysfunction with aging. Increased tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter, as well as dopamine and its metabolites were found in the NSDA system of TP-treated 24month-old male rats, indicative of the amelioratory effects of TP supplements on NSDA system of aged male rats. The enhancement of dopaminergic (DAergic) activity of NSDA system by TP supplements might underlie the amelioration of the coordinated motor dysfunction in aged male rats. TP supplements up-regulated VMAT2 expression in NSDA system of aged male rats. Up-regulation of VMAT2 expression in aged male rats following chronic TP treatment might be involved in the maintenance of DAergic function of NSDA system in aged male rats.

P.2.g.001 Stimulation of D2 dopaminergic receptor corrects depression-like behaviour in prenatally stressed gonadectomised male rats

Statement on the purpose of the study: Prenatal restraint stress (PRS) in rats is a well-documented model of early stress known to induce long-lasting neurobiological and behavioral alterations including impaired feedback mechanisms of the HPA axis, increased anxiety-/depressive-like disturbances and altered brain function of many neurotransmitter systems [1]. Several preclinical and clinical data suggest that DA, acting on D1/D2-like dopaminergic receptors, is one of the most important neuromodulators of despair behavior [2]. On the other hand, the activity of the dopaminergic neurotransmitter system is sensitive to modulation by the gonadal steroids [3]. The aim of this work was to study the effects of administration of D2 receptor agonist quinperole and D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride injected chronically for 14 days alone or in combination with low dose of testosterone propionate on depression-like behavior in adult prenatally stressed male rats. Methods: Initially, rat dams of Wistar strain were exposed to PRS during the last week of pregnancy. After delivery, prenataly stressed male offspring of 3−4 months age were subjected to gonadectomy. Two weeks after gonadectomy, prenatally stressed GDX male rats of 3−4 months age began 14 days of treatment with the vehicle, a low dose of testosterone propionate (1.0mg/kg, s.c.), D2-like dopaminergic agonist, quinpirole (0.1mg/kg, i.p.), D2-like dopaminergic antagonist, sulpiride (0.1mg/kg, i.p.), quinpirole plus testosterone propionate or sulpiride plus testosterone propionate. The animals were then tested in the forced swimming test (FST) and the open field test (OFT). The measurement of lutropine (LH) and testosterone (T) in the blood samples was performed by ELISA. Statistical processing of the received data was carried out with use of one-way ANOVA test and post-hoc test at p< 0.05. Results: The prenatally stressed GDX rats demonstrated the increased immobility time in the FST (p< 0.05). We found that quinpirole significantly decreased immobility time in the prenatally stressed GDX males. A combination of quinpeirole with a low dose of testosterone propionate induced more profound decrease of immobility time in the prenatally stressed GDX rats compared to the rats treated with quinpirole alone. On the contrary, sulpiride failed to modify depression-like behavior in the prenatally stressed GDX rats. In addition, sulpiride significantly blocked the antidepressant-like effect of testosterone propionate in prenatally stressed GDX rats. Thus, quinpirole alone or in combination with a low dose of testosterone propionate exerted antidepressant-like effect in prenatally stressed GDX rats, while the D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride produced depressant-like profile on GDX rats. Also, quinpirole in combination with low dose of testosterone propionate increased T levels, but decreased LH levels in the blood serum of GDX rats compared to the control group (p< 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that quinpirole and testosterone propionate in prenatally stressed GDX rats interact to exert an antidepressant-like effect and that each of these preparations can improve action of the other drug. This study indicate that prenatal stress can be very important factor in efficacy for antidepressant treatment and limiting factor for using of antidepressants.

Effect of testosterone propionate on hippocampal pyramidal neuron number in female rats

The hippocampus is an important region of the brain that regulates cognitive and emotional functions. In this study, we examined the impact of perinatal administration of testosterone propionate (TP) on the number of pyramidal neurons in the CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampi of female rats. Five groups of rats were used in this study. Three groups of female rats were administered TP in either both the prenatal and the postnatal periods (Group 1), only the prenatal period (Group 2) or only the postnatal period (Group 3). The other two groups of rats included control females (Group 4) and control males (Group 5). The rats were sacrificed on postnatal Day 120 and their brains were analysed for hippocampal pyramidal neuron number using stereological methods. Control male rats (Group 5; p = 0.043) and TP-treated female rats in Groups 1 (p = 0.012) and 2 (p = 0.037), but not Group 3 (p > 0.05), had a significantly higher number of pyramidal neurons than control female rats (Group 4). The rats in Group 1 had the highest number of pyramidal neurons among the female rats. Perinatal TP treatment has an augmenting effect on the number of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampi of female rats. We also found gender-based differences in the hippocampi of male and female rats, with a higher number of pyramidal neurons seen in male rats. Continuous TP administration during the prenatal and postnatal periods is more effective than administration only in the prenatal or postnatal period.

Combined effects of testosterone propionate and Leptadenia hastata Pers. (Decne) aqueous extracts on immature castrated male rats

To evaluate the competition between testosterone propionate (TP) and Leptadenia hastata aqueous extracts, immature castrated male Wistar rats were divided into two groups. L. hastata aqueous extracts reduced significantly the weight of androgen-dependant sex glands, the level of phosphatase acid prostatic (PAP) and fructose in seminal vesicles and prostate, and the serum testosterone level. When TP was administered simultaneously with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of L. hastata aqueous extracts, a potentiate action was observed with 100 mg/kg of L. hastata by the increase of androgen-dependant sex glands weights, fructose and PAP levels in seminal vesicles and prostate, and the serum testosterone level. The anti-androgenic effect of L. hastata appeared with the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg which reduced significantly the weight of androgen-dependant sex glands, fructose and PAP levels in seminal vesicles and prostate and serum testosterone level. From these findings, it was concluded that the effect of TP was potentiated with low doses of L. hastata and antagonized with high doses. This study confirmed the anti-androgenic effects of L. hastata aqueous extracts in immature castrated male rats. Key words: Leptadenia hastata , testosterone propionate, anti-androgenic activity, rats. INTRODUCTION The increasing interest in the effects of the components of plant extracts on humans and wildlife has been reflected in the number of recent papers and international conferences devoted to this topic (Weisburger, 1999; Arbonnier, 2000; Vasudeva and Sharma, 2006). Plant-derived chemicals that influence endocrine activities in both humans and animals have received a great deal of attention due to their possible beneficial as well as adverse effects (Gamache and Acworth, 1998). Leptadenia hastata (Pers.) Decne (Asclepediaceae) is an indigenous medicinal plant of West Africa, commonly

Effects of androgen on expression of OMgp of the HIBD neonatal rat brain

To investigate the protective effects of testosterone propionate (TP) on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) neonatal rat brain by observing oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein (OMgp) expression in the cortex and hippocampus after HIBD. Materials and methods: Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: TP pretreatment, HIBD control, and a sham treatment group. Rats 7 days old from the TP group and HIBD control group were subjected to HIBD, and OMgp expression in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of the different doses and groups was observed after hypoxic-ischemic induction at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 7 days, and 14 days. Results: The OMgp expression in the brain tissue of the HIBD control group was significantly higher than that of the sham group at the same point in time (P < 0.01). After intervention with TP, OMgp expression in the hippocampus and cortex (30 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg) was significantly reduced compared with the HIBD control group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: OMgp expression in neonatal rat brain tissues was increased after HIBD; OMgp overexpression was inhibited after intervention with TP. Therefore, androgen may play an important role in removing inhibition of OMgp on axon growth, and thus promote axonal regeneration, playing a protective role in the brain.

Protection against vanadium-induced testicular toxicity by testosterone propionate in rats

Vanadium is a well recognized industrial hazard known to adversely affect male reproductive functions. The intricate mechanistic aspects of this metal and the role of oxidative stress in the deterioration of testicular functions are investigated in the current study. The experiment also focused on the effects of testosterone propionate in testicular and sperm functions in the rat intoxicated with vanadate. Vanadium exposure resulted in a more prominent spermatogenic arrest and consistently abolished the conversion of round to mature spermatids along with decreased epididymal sperm number and increased percentage of abnormal sperm. This is followed by a precipitous decline in the level of serum testosterone and gonadotropins and consequently the testicular steroidogenic and antioxidant enzymes were inhibited. Vanadium induces degeneration in the genital organs of rats and exhibits high indices of lipid oxidative damage. In response to exogenous testosterone propionate (TP) administration, spermatogonial cell populations remained suppressed, while the spermatogenesis was restored quantitatively. In contrast, the hormone treatment had no effect on the dramatically decreased serum FSH level after vanadate treatment. Moreover, TP could ameliorate the toxicity, as indicated by decreased testicular lipid peroxidation with marginal but significant increase in the activities of all the measured enzymes following vanadate-treatment. Taken together all these studies establish that vanadium is a testicular toxicant that perturbs the male reproductive system adversely. However, hormone replacement therapy by testosterone propionate may provide partial protection. The results suggest the feasibility of using endocrine regimens to impede deleterious effects of vanadium on the male reproductive system.

Effects of Testosterone Propionate and Pituitary-adrenal Hormones on the Social Behaviour of Male Ducklings (Anas platyrhynchos L.) in two Test Situations

This experiment was designed to study in male ducklings the behavioural influence of testosterone propionate (= TP) injections, combined with pituitary-adrenal hormones administration, in two test situations: in groups of birds from the same residence cage or from visually isolated cages. It appears from the results that TP administration increased sexual but not aggressive behaviour, while pituitary-adrenal hormones induced very few effects. The responses of the birds were however modulated to a large extent by the type of test situation.

Effects of Androgens and Oestrogens on the Behaviour of Chicks in an Imprinting Situation

The behavioural effects of testosterone propionate (TP), 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and oestradiol benzoate (OB) were investigated in day-old chicks during imprinting sessions to a duck model. TP increased the duration of peeping while inhibiting the following reaction and the twitters. DHT had more or less the same effects while OB induces the reverse behavioural changes. The behavioural effects of hormone injections agree with behavioural sex differences observed in non-injected animals: males peep more than females which on the other hand produce more twitters. This could be related to sex differences in the hormonal status of the birds at hatching, as it is known that during incubation male chick embryos have higher plasma testosterone levels than females of corresponding ages.

Effects of testosterone propionate and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) on the activity of nonspecific esterases in the house mouse.

NMRI mice were treated with testosterone propionate (TSP) and PCB. The effect on nonspecific esterase activity and the relative activities of the various molecular forms of nonspecific esterases were noted. The activity of most molecular forms is sex specific in serum, liver and kidney. Administration of TSP affects the sex specificity, especially in serum. The kidney is most sensitive to TSP. There is a general difference between liver and kidney in the response to TSP. Administration of PCB causes changes in activity and distribution of different molecular forms. There seems to be no connection between TSP and PCB in their effects on nonspecific esterases.

Sex differences and androgenic regulation of esterases in the house mouse

The distribution of molecular forms of esterases in serum, liver and kidney from NMRI, C57BL/6 and A/J mice and the effect of testosterone propionate on the zymograms were investigated. It was found that the different tissues are specific in the pattern of esterases and that, especially in serum and kidney, the distribution of esterases is highly sex specific. Sex hormones are responsible for this. Administration of testosterone has an effect on the amounts of esterases in both sexes, primarily reducing the normal sex differences.

Testosterone-dependent antidepressant-like effect of noradrenergic but not of serotonergic drugs

The main objective of this study was to analyze the effect of testosterone on the actions of antidepressant drugs in the forced swimming test (FST), an animal model that predicts antidepressant effects. In addition, the effect of testosterone propionate (TP) supplementation was evaluated in the same animal model using orchidectomized male rats. Initially, different doses (2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg sc, three injections before the test) of desipramine (DMI), fluoxetine (FLX), and clomipramine (CMI) were administered to intact male rats to detect the effective dose in the FST. All drugs (at 10 mg/kg) produced an antidepressant effect, reflected as a reduction of immobility behavior. Neither orchidectomy per se nor TP supplementation (0.5 and 1.0 mg/rat sc, for 10 days) modified the behaviors evaluated in the FST. Orchidectomy blocked the antidepressant effect of DMI, FLX, and CMI (10 mg/kg), while TP supplementation (0.5 mg/rat, for 10 days) restored the antidepressant action of DMI, but not that of CMI or FLX. These findings indicate that testosterone participates in the antidepressant actions of DMI, a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, while other gonadal hormones might be involved in the antidepressant effects of the serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like FLX and CMI.

Effects of chronic administration with high doses of testosterone propionate on behavioral and physiological parameters in mice with differing basal aggressiveness

AbstractThe effects of testosterone propionate, an anabolic‐androgenic steroid, on the behavior displayed during a social encounter by gonadally intact male mice were investigated. Animals were distributed into three groups according to their attack latency in a pre‐screening test (high‐, moderate‐, and low‐ attacking mice) and each group received weekly injections of 60 or 120 mg/kg of testosterone or sesame oil for 10 weeks. Behavioral tests were then carried out. Afterwards, organs were weighed and blood samples collected in order to obtain hormonal data. Treatment had a differential impact on attack in the three groups of animals. Only the high‐attacking testosterone‐treated mice showed lower total duration of attack than their controls. Those that received 60 mg/kg spent more time exhibiting exploratory behaviors. As an index of the anabolic activity of the drug, all testosterone‐treated mice had heavier kidneys and, as an index of the androgenic activity of testosterone propionate, they had heavier seminal vesicles, lighter testes, and showed higher testosterone levels in a dose‐dependent way than their controls. Hence, the effect of treatment on peripheral physiological parameters was similar in all three groups whereas behavioral effects differed depending on basal aggressiveness, considered a characteristic of coping style. Aggr. Behav. 29:173–189, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Effects of testosterone propionate and nandrolone decanoate on body composition and lipoprotein concentrations in the rat

AbstractAnabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS) are used illicitly by athletes, bodybuilders and polydrug users. Cardiovascular complications are associated with their use and adverse lipoprotein alterations have been implicated as a contributing factor. In this experiment male and female rats were administered testosterone propionate, nandrolone decanoate or vehicle (peanut oil), 1 mg/kg/day s.c. for 14 days. Only the testosterone‐treated females experienced a significant increase in total body weight gain compared to peanut oil controls. No changes in food and water intake or excretion were noted between these two groups. Total body water increased in the testosterone‐treated female rats. Changes in lipoprotein profiles in female testosterone rats over the treatment period indicated a significant decrease in high‐density lipoproteins (HDL) compared to peanut oil‐treated animals.This study indicates that the treatment protocol used may serve as a model to further investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of AAS.

Central administration of corticotrophin releasing hormone but not arginine vasopressin stimulates the secretion of luteinizing hormone in rams in the presence and absence of testosterone.

This study tested the hypothesis that central administration of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and/or arginine vasopressin (AVP) will affect the secretion of LH in rams and that testosterone is necessary for these actions to occur. Plasma LH levels were measured in castrated rams during 1 h infusion of either 100 microliter vehicle/mock cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or mock CSF containing 25 microgram CRH, 25 microgram AVP or 25 microgram of each peptide through guide cannulae into the third cerebral ventricle. These intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusions were given to the castrated rams following injections (i.m.) each 12 h of oil or 8 mg testosterone propionate for 7 days. Blood samples were collected every 10 min for 4 h before i.c.v. infusion, during infusion and for 4 h following the infusion. Infusion of vehicle did not affect any endocrine parameters. In contrast, the plasma concentrations of LH and the amplitude of LH pulses were increased significantly during and following infusion of CRH, and this effect was not influenced by whether the castrated rams were treated with testosterone propionate or whether the CRH was administered in combination with AVP. Infusion of AVP alone did not affect LH secretion. The frequency of LH pulses and the plasma concentrations of FSH did not change with any of the i.c.v. treatments. The plasma concentrations of cortisol were significantly increased by CRH and AVP infusions. The plasma concentrations of cortisol achieved during and following i.c.v. infusion of CRH and AVP combined were greater than the concentrations achieved as a result of treatment with AVP alone but were similar to those with CRH. There was no effect of testosterone propionate on cortisol levels. These results show that CRH, but not AVP, is capable of acting either centrally or at the pituitary level to increase the secretion of LH in rams and these actions are not affected by testosterone. The stimulatory effects of CRH on LH secretion are to increase the amplitude of GnRH pulses and/or the responsiveness of the pituitary to the actions of GnRH with no effect on the frequency of GnRH pulses. The secretion of FSH in rams is not influenced by either CRH or AVP. The effect of CRH to increase LH pulse amplitude occurs in the face of increased cortisol levels, further reinforcing our belief that this adrenal steroid does not affect the reproductive axis in this species.

Reproductive Phase Dependent Sensitivity of Pineal-Biochemical Constituents of Indian Palm Squirrel, Funambulus pennanti to Testosterone Propionate Treatment

Abstract The pineal gland (PG) possesses receptor proteins capable of binding androgen with high affinity and specificity. However, the sensitivity of PG to exogenous testosterone (T) in term of biochemical constituents during different reproductive phases is still unknown. Hence, an attempt was made to study the effect of testosterone propionate (TP; 20 μg/animal/day; i.m. injection) on the biochemical constituents of PG i.e. protein, cholesterol, serotonin and plasma melatonin (MEL) level of the subtropical zone rodent, Funabulus pennanti during reproductive active (RAP) and inactive phases (RIP). During RAP, TP increased the plasma MEL level and prostate gland weight while, it had no effect on other biochemical constituents of PG, plasma T level and testes weight. It may be suggested that during the RAP, exogenous TP initiates the negative feed back mechanism at leydig cell level. Further, TP is known to affect directly the MEL synthesis by increasing the activity of PG. During RIP, TP decreased the PG...

Effects of chronic treatment with testosterone propionate on aggression and hormonal levels in intact male mice.

Effects of testosterone propionate, an anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS), on aggression in gonadally intact male mice were examined. Animals were given weekly injections of 3.75, 7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg of drug or sesame oil for 10 weeks. During the last 3 weeks, behavioral tests were conducted and at the end of the experiment, body, liver and testes weight and hormonal data were collected. The treatment had minimal behavioral and endocrine effects. It resulted in shorter latencies of 'threat' only in the last agonistic encounter, increases in testosterone levels and decreases in testes weight in a non-linear dose-dependant way. The action of treatment was different on threat and attack, the latter being unaffected. The behavioral effects in the total sample were only found in aggressive animals selected on the basis of their latency of attack in the first encounter.

Dual role of testosterone in fenvalerate-treated mice with respect to thyroid function and lipid peroxidation.

Effects of testosterone propionate (TP, 2.5 mg kg(-1) body weight) in fenvalerate-induced (120 mg kg(-1) body weight) thyroid dysfunction and lipid peroxidation were investigated in male mice. Testosterone propionate aggravated in the inhibition of hepatic type I iodothyronine 5'-monodeiodinase (5'D-I) activity, coupled with a decrease in serum triiodothyronine (T3) concentration in pesticide-treated mice. However, it could ameliorate the toxicity as indicated by decreased hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) with a marginal but significant increase in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities following fenvalerate treatment. While protective effects of testosterone on LPO indicated its antiperoxidative property, the decrease in 5'D-I activity could be because of the increased accumulation of fenvalerate in the tissues following TP administration.