Preliminary study of androgen, thyroid & adrenal status in alcoholic men during deaddiction.

To evaluate the status of the testes, thyroid, and adrenals in male alcoholics during the period of voluntary abstinence and therapy, chronic male drinkers undergoing a 4 wk inpatient deaddiction programme in a social hospital were recruited. Levels of a few serum and urinary hormones/metabolites viz., serum testosterone, total triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) and urinary total 17-ketosteroids (17-KS), estrone, estradiol, and 17-hydroxy corticosteroids (17-OHCS) were assessed in alcoholics thrice during the treatment programme at hospital i.e., on the zero (day of admission), 10th, and 20th day and compared to those of non-alcoholic controls. Alcoholics registered elevated serum total T3, and reduced total T4 and testosterone levels at admission, which persisted even after 20 days of the rehabilitative programme. Markedly high urinary levels of total 17-KS, estrone, and 17-OHCS were observed on zero day of admission. Urinary estrone and 17-OHCS, unlike total 17-KS, showed a trend to return to the normal range during the 20 days period. Urinary estradiol levels, however, recorded no significant alteration. The results of this preliminary study are suggestive of alcohol-induced perturbations on the functional integrity of the testes, thyroid, and adrenal in male alcohol addicts, wherein 20 days period of total alcohol abstinence and rehabilitative programme failed to reverse alcohol-induced hypoandrogenization and altered thyroidal status, but only partially restored certain biochemical events associated with the excretion of steroid metabolites.

Dorsolateral prostatic phosphomonoesterases and adenosine triphosphatases in hypo- and hyperthyroid rats.

Specific activities of phosphomonoesterases (acid and alkaline phosphatases) and adenosine triphosphatases (Mg2+, Ca2+ and Na+/K+ dependent ATPases) of dorsolateral prostate were studied in albino rats, under altered thyroid hormone status. Thyroidectomy induced hypothyroidism and thyroxine administered hyperthyroidism (25 micrograms/100 g body wt/day for 60 days, im) showed no impact on the activity of acid phosphatase. Three fold decrease in the activity of alkaline phosphatase was observed in hyperthyroid group. Ca2+ and Mg2+ dependent ATPases were significantly decreased in hypo- and hyperthyroid status whereas Na+/K+ ATPase was decreased in hyperthyroidism and showed an opposite trend in hypothyroid group.

Specific activities of seminal vesicular phosphomonoesterases and Mg2+-,Ca2+- and Na+/K(+)-adenosine triphosphatases in hypo- and hyperthyroid albino rats.

Hypothyroidism (surgical thyroidectomy) inhibited the activities of acid phosphatase and Mg(2+)-ATPase in seminal vesicular tissue and fluid and that of Ca(2+)- and Na+/K(+)-ATPases in fluid alone, and T4 supplementation restored normalcy in all, except acid phosphatase. Hyperthyroidism (T4 25 micrograms/100g body weight/day for 60 days, im) enhanced the activities of alkaline phosphatase and ATPases in seminal vesicular tissue and fluid, and decreased acid phosphatase activity in tissue alone. Withdrawal of T4 treatment from hyperthyroid rats (after 30 days) augmented the activity of ATPases in tissue and impaired the same in fluid, while phosphomonoesterases remained at hyperthyroid level. The results suggest specific responses of various seminal vesicular phosphatases to altered thyroid hormone status. Modification in the specific threshold of androgen/estrogen action on different phosphatases in seminal vesicles appears to be the plausible mechanism underlying these changes in hypo- and hyperthyroid conditions.

Ventral prostatic phosphomonoesterases and adenosine triphosphatases in hypo- and hyperthyroid albino rats.

Specific activities of prostatic phosphomonoesterases (acid and alkaline phosphatases) and adenosine triphosphatases (Mg2+, Ca2+ and Na+/K+ dependent ATPases) were studied in albino rats, under altered thyroid hormone status. Thyroidectomy induced hypothyroidism decreased the specific activities of acid and alkaline phosphatases, Na+/K+ and Ca2+ dependent ATPases in ventral prostate. Hyperthyroidism (25 micrograms thyroxine/100g body weight/day for 60 days, im) enhanced the activities of acid phosphatase and Na+/K+ dependent ATPase, while Ca2+ dependent ATPase decreased. The altered thyroid status had no effect on the activity of ventral prostatic Mg2+ dependent ATPase. The data obtained in the present study showed differential and specific responses of various ventral prostatic phosphatases to the hypo or hyperthyroid status. The study also shows the necessity of an optimum level of thyroid hormones to maintain the normal activities of these enzymes and their secretory function in ventral prostate.

Role of prolactin on epididymal glycoprotein metabolism in matured monkeys, Macaca radiata: specific activities of glycosyltransferases and glycosidases.

Impact of altered serum prolactin status on enzymes involved in glycoprotein metabolism in epididymal tissue of matured monkeys was studied. Hyperprolactinemia (ovine prolactin-250 micrograms/kg body weight/day for 30 days) significantly inhibited the specific activities of dolichylphosphate mannosyl transferase, dolichylphosphate glucosyl transferase and galactosyl transferase, in the epididymal tissues. However, it had an enhanced effect on epididymal glycosidases such as beta-galactosidase, beta-N-acetyl glucosaminidase, beta-N-acetyl galactosaminidase, alpha-mannosidase and alpha-L-fucosidase. Hypoprolactinemia (bromocriptine mesylate-1-mg/kg body weight/day for 30 days) on other hand had no significant effect on the specific activities of both, glycosyltransferases and glycosidases, in the epididymal tissues. The results suggest that hyperprolactinemia inhibits epididymal glycoprotein metabolism by impairing the incorporation of oligosaccharide units into proteins with enhanced degradation. This may have adverse effect on events leading to sperm maturation in epididymal environment.

Effects of prolactin and androgens on enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in prostate of castrated bonnet monkeys Macaca radiata (Geoffroy).

Effects of prolactin (PRL), bromocriptine (Br), testosterone propionate (TP), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the combinations of these androgens with PRL/Br on the specific activities of caudal and cranial prostatic cellular enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism in castrated mature bonnet monkeys have been studied. Castration decreased all the enzymes studied such as hexokinase (HK), 6-phosphofructokinase (6-PFK), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-3-PD), pyruvate kinase (PK), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) in the cranial and caudal prostates. PRL elevated the activities of all the enzymes above normal except G-3-PD of cranial lobe. In the caudal lobe, PRL brought back the activities of HK, PFK, PK, G-6-PD to normal and 6-PGD above normal except G-3-PD. TP/DHT treatment increased all the enzymes in both the lobes. PRL given along with TP/DHT further enhanced the androgen action with regard to HK, PK, G-6-PD and 6-PGD of cranial and PFK, G-3-PD, PK, G-6-PD and 6-PGD of caudal lobe. Br treatment did not produce any alteration of these enzymes in both the lobes. In the cranial lobe, during Br+TP/DHT treatment, the stimulating effects of androgen were unaffected on all the enzymes except PK. On the other hand in the caudal, the stimulatory effects of androgens were affected and the activities of HK, PFK, PK and 6-PGD were significantly decreased. The present results suggest that PRL has a direct as well as a synergistic action with androgens on enzymes of EMP and HMP shunt in the prostates of monkeys.

Relationship between testosterone and hepatic lipids in mature male bonnet monkeys, Macaca radiata (Geoffroy).

Administration of testosterone propionate (TP; 1 mg/kg body weight/day; im, for 30 days) to mature male bonnet monkeys, decreased total lipids, glyceride glycerol and cholesterol concentrations in hepatic tissue. The decrease in glyceride glycerol was due to decrease in monoacyl and triacyl glycerol. Both, free and esterified cholesterol were decreased after testosterone administration. Eventhough, total phospholipid was not significantly altered, phosphatidylserine and cardiolipin were increased, due to testosterone administration. Testosterone inhibited NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase activity in liver. The findings suggest that testosterone acts as a lipolytic hormone and its action may be direct through its specific receptors in liver.

Increased degradation of dermal collagen in diabetic rats.

The effect of alloxan induced diabetes on the dermal collagen content of albino rats was studied in relation to few lysosomal enzymes. Diabetes decreased the dermal collagen content. The specific activities of the lysosomal enzymes studied in the diabetic rat skin were elevated. It has been established that lysosomal enzymes degrade the connective tissue components. Thus, it may be suggested that the increase in the lysosomal enzymes studied should have facilitated the decrease in dermal collagen content of diabetic rats by increasing the degradation of dermal collagen.

Influence of prolactin on pulmonary lipids in mature male bonnet monkey, Macaca radiata.

Administration of ovine prolactin (250 micrograms/kg body weight/day) for 30 days to mature male bonnet monkeys increased the pulmonary total lipids and total phospholipids. While total cholesterol did not show any appreciable change in PRL treated monkeys, the ratio of free: esterified cholesterols was altered with perceptible decrease in free cholesterol and increase in esterified cholesterol. Pulmonary tissue total glyceride glycerol concentration was diminished as a result of decreased monoacyl, diacyl and triacyl glycerols. Among phospholipid fractions, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol were elevated while phosphatidic acid and cardiolipin were reduced. The data suggest that hyperprolactinemia interferes with pulmonary lipid metabolism in adult monkeys and modifies the ratio of cholesterol and phospholipid composition. Further, hyperprolactinemia appears to favour esterification of cholesterol with specific changes in phospholipid fractions. Thus, the present study demonstrates that hyperprolactinemia modifies the pattern of pulmonary neutral and phospholipid fractions and thereby is likely to affect the structure and function of mature primate lungs.

Effect of diabetes mellitus on epididymal enzymes of adult rats.

Diabetes mellitus caused significant reduction in serum testosterone and accessory sex glands weight. The sperm content of epididymal regions also decreased. Among the epididymal regions, the cauda epididymidal tissue alone showed significant reduction in Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity. However, Mg2+ ATPase activity was lowered in caput epididymidis only. Specific activity of Ca2+ ATPase significantly decreased in caput and cauda epididymides. All three ATPases decreased significantly in caput epididymidal spermatozoa leaving cauda epididymidal spermatozoa unaffected. Specific activity of alkaline phosphatase was suppressed in caput epididymidis and in the spermatozoa collected from caput and cauda epididymides, while the acid phosphatase was unaffected. In general, the results are suggestive of definite influence of diabetes on epididymal phosphatases which is region specific. Diabetes induced decrease in phosphatases may have an impact on secretory and absorptive functions of epididymis and thus on sperm maturation.

Hepatic and renal phosphomonoesterases and adenosine triphosphatases in chronic hyperprolactinaemic rats.

Influence of hyperprolactinaemia, induced endogenously by anterior pituitary transplantation on rat hepatic and renal cortical and medullary phosphomonoesterases and adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) has been investigated. Although prolactin has a stimulatory effect on phosphomonoesterases and ATPases, it exhibits a specific and temporal influence on each subtype of hepatic and renal ATPases and phosphomonoesterases at different durations of pituitary transplantation. The specific activities of alkaline phosphatase and Na(+)-K+ dependent ATPases are activated in all the regions of different durations of experimentation. However, acid phosphatases, Ca2+ and Mg2+ dependent ATPases exhibit a differential response to prolactin in renal cortex, medulla and liver. Direct influence of prolactin on hepatic and renal phosphomonoesterases and ATPases is thus suggested.

Influence of thyroidectomy on seminal vesicular glycosidases of young albino rats.

Impact of thyroidectomy (hypothyroidism) on few glycosidases was studied in the seminal vesicles of young albino rats. Thyroidectomy was performed at 30 days post partum. Seminal vesicular beta-D-glucosidase, beta-D-galactosidase, and N-acetyl-beta-D-galactosaminidase exhibited a similar response of decreased activities under short- (30 days) and long-term (60 days) hypothyroid conditions. On the other hand, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase registered a temporal biphasic response of increased and decreased activities in the seminal vesicles of rats subjected to short- and long-term hypothyroidism, respectively. The data obtained in the present study suggest that thyroid hormones have specific influences on different glycosidases in the seminal vesicles of rats and euthyroid status is essential for the maintenance of normal activities of these enzymes.

Influence of prolactin, androgens and bromocriptine on seminal vesicular and prostatic adenosine triphosphatases in castrated adult monkeys Macaca radiata.

E ects of prolactin (PRL), bromocriptine (Br), testosterone propionate (TP), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the combinations of these androgens with PRL/Br on specific activities of adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) of seminal vesicles and cranial and caudal prostates were studied in castrated adult bonnet monkeys. Castration decreased all ATPases (sodium/potassium, magnesium and calcium dependent) of seminal vesicles and both the lobes of prostate. PRL restored the normal activities of all ATPases in both the organs. Br given alone decreased all ATPases of prostate but caused no significant alteration, particularly calcium dependent ATPases of seminal vesicles and caudal prostate. TP/DHT replacement restored all ATPases of both the organs to the normal levels. PRL + TP/DHT further enhanced all the ATPases activities of all the regions studied. Br + TP/DHT decreased all ATPases but it did not produce any alteration in the calcium ATPases of seminal vesicles. The results suggest that prolactin facilitates membrane transport enzymes in the cranial and caudal prostate and seminal vesicles of adult castrated bonnet monkeys.

Impact of hyperprolactinaemia on testicular neutral lipids and phospholipids in mature bonnet monkeys, Macaca radiata (Geoffroy).

Impact of hyperprolactinaemia, induced by daily injection of ovine prolactin (250 micrograms/kg body weight, ip for 30 days) on testicular lipids was studied in M. radiata. Wet weights of testis and accessory sex organs decreased in hyperprolactinaemic monkeys. Even though total lipids in the testis did not show any significant change, total cholesterol and total glyceride glycerol decreased. While all fractions of testicular neutral lipids showed a perceptible decrease, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl choline increased in hyperprolactinaemic monkeys. Hyperprolactinaemia appears to influence male fertility by altering the composition of testicular neutral lipids and phospholipids.

Effect of corticosterone on epididymal lipids in pubertal rat.

Serum corticosterone excess was induced by the administration of corticosterone acetate to adrenal intact rats. Different lipid classes were studied in unwashed and washed (epididymal sperm and fluid free) caput and cauda epididymides. The unwashed caput epididymidis registered a significant decrease in total lipid, cholesterol and phospholipid while total glyceride glycerol and its fractions were not altered after corticosterone treatment. Among phospholipid fractions phosphatidyl inositol, choline and ethanolamine showed a significant decrease. Unlike the unwashed caput epididymidis, the washed caput region recorded a marked increase in total lipid, glyceride glycerol and its fractions. However, total lipid in the washed cauda region significantly increased and the increase was mainly due to triacyl glycerol. Though the phospholipid fractions phosphatidyl choline and ethanolamine showed an increase, the total phospholipid was not altered significantly. Serum testosterone and prolactin registered a significant decrease while gonadotropins were unaltered. On the withdrawal of corticosterone treatment, all the lipid classes turned to normalcy along with serum testosterone and prolactin. It is concluded that corticosterone excess favours lipid accumulation in the sperm free epididymal tissue and its influence on epididymis is region specific and reversible.

Effects of prolactin and androgens on seminal vesicular lipids of castrated mature bonnet monkeys Macaca radiata.

Effects of prolactin (PRL), bromocriptine (Br), testosterone propionate (TP), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the combination of these androgens with PRL/Br on the total lipid, total cholesterol, total glyceride glycerols, total phospholipid and their fractions in seminal vesicles of castrated mature monkeys were studied. Glyceride glycerols formed the major portion (50%) of total lipids in normal monkeys. Cholesterol and phospholipids were of equal share (25%). Esterified cholesterol formed major share (75%) of total cholesterol. Diacyl glycerol was the major (60%) glyceride glycerol and phosphatidyl choline and ethanolamine were the major phospholipid classes. Except triacyl glycerol castration markedly decreased all the lipid classes. PRL restored normal free and esterified cholesterol and phosphatidyl inositol but Br invariably decreased all the lipid classes. TP/DHT treatment stimulated the free and esterified cholesterol more than the control; it restored the normal glyceride glycerols. Phosphatidyl inositol, choline and ethanolamine were stimulated by androgens and other phospholipid classes were brought to normal. Addition of PRL + TP/DHT markedly increased esterified cholesterol, phosphatidyl inositol, choline, ethanolamine and phosphatidic acid. In all these aspects, Br counteracted the effects of androgens and PRL.

Influence of prolactin on neural and glial cellular adenosine triphosphatases in immature male bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata, Geoffroy).

The effect of prolactin on specific activities of adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) in neural and gliar cells of cerebral cortex, cerebellum and pons-medulla of immature male bonnet monkeys was studied. Na+, K+ dependent ATPase was stimulated, while Mg2+ and Ca2+ dependent ATPase activities showed reduction in neural as well as glial cells of cerebral cortex and cerebellum. However, in pons-medulla, Na+, K+ and Mg2+ dependent ATPases showed the same trend in neural and glial cells, respectively, as in the other two regions. The data obtained reveal that prolactin has specific effect on different ATPases, in different regions of the brain.

Influence of castration and testosterone propionate on prostatic and seminal vesicular lipids in mature monkeys.

The effect of castration and administration of testosterone propionate (TP) has been studied in mature monkeys in relation to prostatic and seminal vesicular lipids to castrates on prostatic and seminal vesicular lipids were studied in mature monkeys. Castration decreased prostatic total lipid, total phospholipids and total glyceride glycerols. Among neutral lipid classes only diacyl glycerol was decreased due to castration. Similarly among phospholipid classes, phosphatidyl choline and ethanolamine were decreased. A marked decrease in the seminal vesicular total lipid, total phospholipids, total cholesterol and total glyceride glycerol were observed due to castration. Mono and diacyl glycerols and phosphatidyl choline and ethanolamine also registered a significant decrease after castration. Administration of TP to castrates brought back all the lipid classes to normal level which showed a decrease due to castration. However, TP treated to castrates on both seminal vesicles and prostates had no effect on other classes of lipids which were unaltered by castration. The present study reveals that lipid metabolism in the male accessory sex organs is under androgenic control. Nevertheless, the influence of testicular androgen is specific to different classes of lipids as a number of phospholipids and neutral lipid classes were resistant to castration or administration of TP.