Testosterone antagonizes paraquat-induced cardiomyocyte senescence via the mIGF-1/SIRT1 signaling pathway

Testosterone has been demonstrated to antagonize doxorubicin-induced cardiomyocyte senescence. However, whether testosterone prevents the paraquat-induced cardiomyocyte senescence is largely unknown. The detection of SA-β-gal activity was performed using senescence β-gal staining kit and the reactive oxygen species levels were determined by reactive oxygen species assay kit. The plasmids for insulin-like growth factor 1 shRNA (sh-mIGF-1), sirtuin-1 shRNA (sh-SIRT1), scramble shRNA (sh-NC), overexpressing mIGF-1 (mIGF-1), overexpressing SIRT1 (SIRT1), and negative controls (NC) were obtained for this study. The expression of target genes was detected using quantitative real-time PCR, immunolabeling, and western blot. We found that testosterone significantly delayed the paraquat-induced HL-1 cardiomyocyte senescence as evidenced by decreasing senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity and reactive oxygen species generation, which were accompanied by the up-regulated expression of mIGF-1 and SIRT1. RNA interference to reduce mIGF-1 and SIRT1 expression showed that testosterone prevented paraquat-induced HL-1 senescence via the mIGF-1/SIRT1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, myocardial contraction was evaluated by expression of genes of the contractile proteins/enzymes, such as α-myosin heavy chain 6 (MHC6), α-myosin heavy chain 7 (MHC7), α-skeletal actin (ACTA-1), and sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase-2 (SERCA2). Testosterone adjusted the above four gene expressions and the adjustment was blocked by mIGF-1 or SIRT1 inhibition. Our findings suggested that the mIGF-1/SIRT1 signaling pathway mediated the protective function of testosterone against the HL-1 cardiomyocyte senescence by paraquat, which provided new clues for the mechanisms underlying the anti-aging role of testosterone in cardiomyocytes.

Efecto de Estradiol y Testosterona sobre la activación de la vía JAK2/STAT5 inducida por hormona de crecimiento / Estradiol and Testosterone effect on the activation of the JAK2/STAT5 pathway induced by growth hormone

Abstract: Sex hormones play a major role during pubertal growth. Estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) levels progressively increase during puberty and in the presence of growth hormone (GH), growth velocity increases. Understanding the interactions between sex hormones and GH, may optimize the treatment of pubertal children with growth disorders. The aim of our study was to investigate possible molecular mechanisms which might potentiate longitudinal growth during puberty due to E 2or T combined with GH. We evaluated the GH/JAK2/STAT5 signaling pathway in the human hepatoma cell line HEPG2. Our results suggest that sex hormones potentiate the GH signaling pathway in a dose dependent fashion. Relatively low concentrations of E 2associated with GH induce a substantial activation of the GH pathway, whereas relatively high concentrations of T associated with GH produce a similar effect. These findings are concordant with the physiology of the pubertal growth spurt, which is an early event in girls (when E 2 circulating levels are low), and a late event in boys (when T circulating levels are high).

Resumen: Las hormonas sexuales, modulan el crecimiento durante la pubertad. Los niveles de estradiol (E2) y testosterona (T) aumentan progresivamente durante la pubertad y en combinación con la hormona de crecimiento (GH), producen un incremento en la velocidad de crecimiento en este período conocido como el "estirón puberal". El estudio de la interacción entre las hormonas sexuales y la GH, es de gran importancia para optimizar el tratamiento de niños(as) con alteraciones del crecimiento durante la pubertad. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue investigar los posibles mecanismos que podrían potenciar el crecimiento longitudinal durante la pubertad, en especial las interacciones entre E 2o T en combinación con GH. Se evaluó la activación de la vía de señalización GH/JAK2/STAT5 frente al estímulo combinado con estas hormonas en cultivos celulares de hepatoma humana HEPG2. Nuestros resultados sugieren que existe un efecto potenciador de las hormonas sexuales sobre la vía de señalización de GH. Observamos que concentraciones relativamente bajas de E2 junto con GH producen una clara activación de la vía de señalización para GH, mientras que concentraciones relativamente altas de T junto con GH producen una activación similar. Estos hallazgos son concordantes con la fisiología del estirón puberal, que es más precoz en niñas (cuando los niveles circulantes de E2 son bajos), y más tardíos en varones (cuando los niveles circulantes de T son altos).

Family care of people with severe mental disorders: an integrative review / Cuidado familiar de pessoas com doenças mentais graves: uma revisão integrativa / Cuidado familiar de la persona con trastorno mental grave: una revisión integradora

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the scientific literature on home-based family care of people with severe mental illness. METHOD: integrative review of 14 databases (CINALH, Cochrane Plus, Cuidatge, CUIDEN, Eric, IBECS, EMI, ISOC, JBI COnNECT, LILACS, PsycINFO, PubMed, SciELO, and Scopus) searched with the key words "family caregivers", "severe mental illness", and "home" between 2003 and 2013. RESULTS: of 787 articles retrieved, only 85 met the inclusion criteria. The articles appeared in 61 journals from different areas and disciplines, mainly from nursing (36%). The countries producing the most scientific literature on nursing were Brazil, the UK, and the US, and authorship predominantly belonged to university centers. A total of 54.12% of the studies presented quantitative designs, with descriptive ones standing out. Work overload, subjective perspectives, and resources were the main topics of these papers. CONCLUSIONS: the international scientific literature on home-based, informal family care of people with severe mental disorder is limited. Nursing research stands out in this field. The prevalent topics coincide with the evolution of the mental health system. The expansion of the scientific approach to family care is promoted to create evidence-based guidelines for family caregivers and for the clinical practice of professional caregivers. .

OBJETIVO: analisar a produção científica sobre o cuidado familiar de pessoas com transtorno mental grave em casa. MÉTODO: revisão integrativa de 14 bases de dados (CINALH, Cochrane Plus, Cuidatge, CUIDEN, Eric, IBECS, EMI, ISOC, JBI Connect, LILACS, PsycInfo e PubMed, SciELO, e Scopus), com as palavras-chave "cuidadores familiares", "TMG" (transtornos mentais graves ) e "casa", realizada entre 2003 e 2013. RESULTADOS: dos 787 artigos retornados, somente 85 atenderam os critérios de inclusão. Os artigos vieram de 61 periódicos de diferentes áreas e disciplinas, principalmente de enfermagem (36%). Os países com maior produção científica sobre enfermagem foram o Brasil, o Reino Unido e os Estados Unidos, e a autoria era predominantemente de centros universitários. Um total de 54,12% dos estudos apresentou delineamento quantitativo, e os descritivos se destacaram. Os principais temas desses trabalhos foram sobrecarga de trabalho, perspectivas subjetivas e recursos. CONCLUSÕES: a produção cientifica internacional sobre o cuidado familiar informal de pessoas com doenças mentais graves em casa é limitada. A pesquisa em enfermagem se destaca nesse campo. Os temas prevalentes coincidem com a evolução do sistema de saúde mental. Estimula-se a expansão da abordagem científica do cuidado familiar de modo a encontrar evidências para criar guias para cuidadores familiares e para a prática clínica de cuidadores profissionais. .

OBJETIVO: analizar la producción científica sobre el cuidado familiar de la persona con trastorno mental grave en el hogar familiar. MÉTODO: revisión integradora en 14 bases de datos (CINALH, Cochrane Plus, Cuidatge, CUIDEN, Eric, IBECS, IME, ISOC, JBI ConNECT, LILACS, PsycInfo, PubMed, SciELO y Scopus), con las palabras clave "cuidadores familiares", "TMG" y "hogar"; realizada entre 2003 y 2013. RESULTADOS: de 787 artículos recuperados, sólo 85 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Los artículos procedieron de 61 revistas de diferentes áreas y disciplinas destacando la disciplina de enfermería (36%). Los países con mayor producción científica sobre enfermería fueron Brasil, Reino Unido y EEUU. En la autoría predominaron los centros universitarios. El 54,12% de los estudios presentó diseño cuantitativo, sobresaliendo los descriptivos. Las temáticas destacadas fueron sobrecarga, perspectivas subjetivas y recursos. CONCLUSIONES: la producción científica internacional sobre el cuidado informal familiar de la persona con trastorno mental grave, en el contexto del hogar familiar, es limitada. En este campo, destaca la investigación de enfermería. Las temáticas prevalentes coinciden con la evolución del sistema de salud mental. Se estimula la ampliación del abordaje científico del cuidado familiar con el fin de encontrar evidencias para la elaboración de guías de cuidadores familiares y para la práctica clínica de cuidadores profesionales. .

Comprender a la homosexualidad: por qué temer ser homosexual? (parte 1) / Understanding homosexuality. Why fear being gay? (Part 1)

El autor revisa y describe de manera muy sencilla, elemental, clara y didáctica, los aspectos semánticos(nomenclaturas),biológicos(metabolismo prenatal de la testosterona) y psicológicos(fracaso de los complejos de castración y de Edipo freudianos) de la HOMOSEXUALIDAD que es una realidad cotidiana en la clínica médica general y en laespecializada psiquiátrica, mucho más frecuente de lo que médicos y psicólogos saben y de lo que la gente cree, que NO corresponde a una enfermedad mental ni corporal, ni trastorno de personalidad o perversión o degeneramiento;aunque el autor sostiene con FREUD, la existencia de una detención o bloqueo en el desarrollo psico – sexual de lapersonalidad.Durante el transcurso de la vida profesional del autor se observó el cambio conceptual de perversión a NORMALIDAD,entonces, Por qué temerle? Este material puede resultar muy valioso para estudiantes y profesionales noveles de las ciencias de la salud y de la comunicación, que se aproximan al tema y necesiten COMPRENDER al mismo.

Association of the infusion of Heteropterys aphrodisiaca and endurance training brings spermatogenetic advantages

The species Heteropterys aphrodisiaca is commonly used as a stimulant by popular medicine in the Cerrado, a savanna-like biome, Brazil. Recent studies have proved its protective effects on testes of animals submitted to treatment using Cyclosporine A, as well as its stimulus effect in increasing testosterone secretion. Therefore, the present study was designed to analyze whether the association of the plant infusion and endurance exercise could potentiate the stimulating effect. The animals were separated into 4 groups: two control (sedentary and trained) receiving water and two treated (sedentary and trained) receiving the plant infusion daily (104mg/day). The proportion of the seminiferous tubule compartment and interstitium was analyzed. Within the seminiferous epithelium, the number of Sertoli and germ cells were counted in order to evaluate whether the treatment would alter the spermatogenic dynamics, analyzing: the spermatogenic yield, the mitotic and meiotic indexes, the total number of germ cells and the Sertoli cell support capacity. Trained and treated animals showed increased spermatogenic yield and spermatogonia mitosis, and no significant differences in apoptotic indexes. Despite the results showing the same pattern regarding yield and mitotic index, the meiotic index was higher in the sedentary/treated group. Therefore, the H. aphrodisiaca infusion increased both the testosterone production and the spermatogonia mitosis, thus increasing the spermatogenic yield.

Testosterona sérica e doença cardiovascular em homens: [revisão] / Serum testosterone and cardiovascular disease in men: [review]

As doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) representam atualmente o principal grupo de causa de morte no Brasil. Os homens morrem mais de doença arterial coronariana e possuem níveis mais elevados de testosterona do que as mulheres. No entanto, estudos recentes indicam que os andrógenos podem ter efeito benéfico e/ou neutro no sistema cardiovascular masculino. Baixos níveis de testosterona endógena têm sido relacionados à presença de vários componentes da síndrome metabólica, incluindo dislipidemia, obesidade visceral, hipertensão arterial sistêmica e estados pró-trombóticos. Os dados da relação entre testosterona e reatividade vascular, aterosclerose e mortalidade cardiovascular nos homens são escassos, com os resultados de estudos disponíveis apresentando contradições. Grandes estudos randomizados e prospectivos são necessários para avaliar a função específica dos andrógenos nas DCV masculinas, para que melhores conclusões possam ser estabelecidas.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) represent the main cause of death in Brazil. Men die more of coronary artery disease and they have higher levels of testosterone than women. However, recent studies indicate that androgens can have beneficial and/or neutral effect in the male cardiovascular system. Low levels of endogenous testosterone have been involved with the presence of some components of the metabolic syndrome including dyslipidemia, visceral obesity, hypertension and thrombus formation process. Consistent data on the relationship between testosterone and vascular reactivity, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular mortality in men are rare, with the results of available studies presenting contradictions. Large randomized and prospective trials are needed to evaluate androgen-specific function in male CVD so that better conclusions can be established.

O plexo pampiniforme na fase crônica da doença de Chagas humana: avaliaçäo histológica / The pampiniform plexus of chronic chagasic patients: a histologic evaluation

Pesquisou-se a ocorrência, na parede das veias do plexo pampiniforme de chagásicos crônicos, de acúmulos intracelulares de Trypanosoma cruzi e sinais inflamatórios (flebife). Para tal fim, colheram-se, à necropsia, 23 pares de funículos espermáticos, epidídimos e testículos, sendo 17 de chagásicos crônicos e 6 de controles (näo chagásicos). Em cada caso, foram feitos múltiplos cortes das gônadas e dos vasos; fez-se pesquisa de T. cruzi por imuno-histoquímica nos funículos espermáticos de todos os casos. Näo se observaram parasitos nas paredes vasculares. Notou-se flebite crônica inespecífica, focal e discreta, em cinco chagásicos (bilateral em três pacientes) e dois controles; havia infiltraçäo mononuclear discreta do interstício funicular em treze chagásicos e cinco controles. A análise estatística dos resultados (X²) näo revelou diferenças significativas. Conclui-se que o ambiente hormonal devido à testosterona näo parece favorecer a infecçäo da parede dos vasos gonadais por Trypanosoma cruzi, embora, segundo a literatura, o referido hormônio pareça ter açöes imunodepressoras

influence of testosterone administration on the partially extirpated submandibular salivary gland in rat

This study was carried out in order to investigate the effect of testosterone administration on the regenerative power of the extirpated submandibular gland of rats. Thirty two Spargue-Dawley rats weighting about 240 gm were divided into two groups, 16 animals for each. In group 1 about half of right submandibular gland was removed and the animals were injected intraperitoneally at five successive days by testosterone. At different intervals [1,7,15 and 30 days] four rats were sacrified. Morphological and histochemical studies revealed healing of the extirpated area occured as a result of regeneration of secretory part by formation of newly formed serous acini from the old ones at the line of section and from rudimentary ducts in the central area. In the central area, the periductal cells were transformed into acinar cells and later, some of the straited ducts changed further to form granular convoluted tubules. In our study, group II revealed progressive newly formed acini and ducts. Some of these ducts demonstrated apical vacuolization within the first period, which could be considered as earlier sign of transformation into granular convoluted tubules, which appeared in later period in control groups. The lumina of these ducts appeared with eosinophilic products, which might indicate either that lumina carry acinar secretions or producing such material. The acini of group II became larger and its cytoplasm appeared as honeycombed appearance due to fusion of the secretory granules together. The appearance of the mucous cells or acini in group II may arise either from the proliferation of the already found mucous cells or as a result of sexual maturity. The newly formed acini showed strong PAS reaction, which decreased with maturation, denoting increase in the metabolic activity. The study has demonstrated that after testosterone administration the regenerative process of the submandibular gland was accelerated

Modulación de la actividad contráctil uterina por hormonas esteroides sexuales. Revisión / Modulation of uterine contractile activity by sexual steroid hormones

Los esteroides sexuales tienen una función importante en la regulación de la actividad contráctil uterina. Progesterona ejerce un efecto relajante sobre el útero de coneja, rata y huamano. Adicionalmente se ha informado que los metabolitos 5 b-reducidos son más potentes que su precursor en el útero de rata. Con respecto a su mecanismo de acción se sabe que actúan por mecanismo no genómico y no se ha identificado su receptor específico para estos compuestos en las memebranas de las células miometriales. Sin embargo, algunos datos proponen que los esteroides inhiben el influjo de calcio a la célula muscular por bloqueador los canales operados por voltaje y o los canales operados por receptos. La regulación de la contractilidad uterina por hormonas esteroides durante el ciclo sexual y el embarazo sugiere una función fisiológica importante, al inducir una quiescencia uterina requerida para el mantenimiento del embarazo

El factor masculino I. Función testicular y gametogénesis / The masculine factor: Testicular function and gametogenesis

En los últimos 15 años el estudio y tratamiento de los trastornos de la reproducción humana han avanzado notablemente en lo relativo a la infertilidad y esterilidad femeninas. Desafortunadamente no ha sucedio lo mismo en el caso del hombre, y a pesar de los esfuerzos realizados poco se ha adelantado en cuanto al diagnóstico y terapéutica del varón infértil. La gónada masculina tiene dos funciones principales: la producción de espermatozoides y por otra la síntesis y secreción de hormonas esteroides, principalmente testosterona. La regulación eficiente de la función testicular depende tanto de la secreción pulsátil precisa de las hormona gonadotróficas por la hipófisis, como de la respuesta endocrína, paracrina y autocrina concertada de las células somáticas de la gónada masculina a esta estimulación. En este trabajo se presentan los principales eventos asociados con la espermatogénesis, incluyendo tanto las interacciones entre las células somáticas del testículo, como algunas características del funcionamiento del eje hipotálamico-hipófisis- testículo, y algunos estados fisiopatológicos relacionados con la infertilidad masculina debida a causa de las denominadas "pretesticulares"

Interacción de los péptidos opiodes endógenos con la función del eje hipotálamo-hipófisis-testículo / Interaction of endogenous opoid peptides with hypothalamie-hypophisis-testis axis function

A partir del aislamiento e identificación de sustancias endógenas con actividad opoide (endorfinas y encefalinas) (1), y del descubrimiento de los receptores opoides en el cerebro de mamíferos (2), numerososo estudios se han realizado con el fin de conocer el papel que estos opoides endógenos tienen en la regulación neuroendocrina del eje hipotálamo-hipófisis-gónada. Tanto los opioides endógenos como los agentes químicos con actividad opoide (morfina, heroína, metadona, análogo sintéticos de encefalinas, etc.) interfieren con la producción de las hormonas secretadas por la hipófisis; el efecto de estos opoides es inhibitorio para algunas hormonas como la LH, FSH y la TSH, mientras que para otras como la PRL, GH y ACTH estimulan su producción (3), los opoides actúan a nivel hipotalámico y suprahipotalámico modulando la secreción de factores liberadores e inhibitorios. En varones adultos sanos los péptidos opioides endógenos (POE) produce una disminución de los niveles séricos de gonadotrofinas. La administración de antagonistas específicos de los receptores opiáceos aumentan la liberación de hormona luteinizante (LH) e incrementan la freuencia y amplitud de los pulsos de LH (6). Tanto los efectos de los POE como de los antagonistas específicos de sus receptores están alterados en la diferentes patologías del eje hipotálamo-hipófisis-testículo

Effect of pinealectomy and testosterone on gonadal regression and accessory sex organs in Indian palm squirrel, Funambulus pennanti.

Indian palm squirrel (Funambulus pennanti), is a tropical seasonal breeder presents a short gonadal regression period (October-November), concomitant with declining plasma testosterone level. If pinealectomized (Px), however, squirrels maintain full gonadal activity and plasma testosterone levels. The aim of the present study was, therefore, to determine if the Px and exogenous testosterone in intact and Px squirrels would prevent natural gonadal regression. Experiment was performed during testicular regression phase (i.e. August end to November) revealed that both the Px (60 days) and exogenous testosterone (100 micrograms/day/squirrel/30 days) prevented gonadal and accessory sex organ regression. This could be due to negative feedback by testosterone treatment which was more obvious in intact than the Px squirrels. A decline in day time plasma melatonin level after testosterone treatment was also indicative of inverse relationship between the gonadal and pineal hormones which in turn did not allow the collapse of accessory sex organs. Further, the pineal gland is under direct control of steroid hormones since receptors and aromatizing enzymes are noted in the same. Therefore, a pineal secreted melatonin stimulation of hypothalamic negative feedback centers for gonadal regression could be suggested in this tropical rodent as receptors for melatonin have been detected in above areas.

Acción de la prolactina en los niveles de testosterona plasmática en ratas sometidas a hipoxia de altura / The prolactin action in plasmatic testosterone levels at rats

Ratas albinas macho nacidas a nivel del mar (NM) fueron divididas en dos grupos a los 70 días de nacidas; el primer grupo permaneció a NM y el otro fue llevado a la altura (ALT) (Morococha, 4540 m), con el propósito de estudiar la acción sobre la función testicular de la hipo e hiperprolactinemia, producidas por un dopaminérgico la bromocriptina (CB-154, Sandoz): 4mgr por K.P.C. cada 7 días y un antidopaminérgico, el sulpiride (Dogmatil, Spedrog): 1.5 mgr por k.p.c. dos veces por semana, respectivamente. A los 28 días de tratamiento se determinaron los pesos corporales y de los testículos, así como la prolactina (PRL) y la testosterona (T) plasmática por radioinmunoensayo (RIA), y la alteración testicular (porcentaje de AT) por microscopía de luz. Los animales en la altura presentan mayores niveles séricos de PRL y de T, así como mayor porcentaje de AT que a NM. Los animales llevados a la altura tanto controles como experimentales disminuyen el peso corporal con relación a los del nivel del mar, no así el de los testículos. No hubo variación adicional en los pesos corporales, de testículos y en el porcentaje AT por efecto de la administración de bromocriptina y sulpiride. Se encontró una correlación poligonal entre los niveles de PRL y T plasmáticas, observádose que la hipo y la hiperprolactinemia se asocian a bajos niveles de T. En conclusión la hipoxia aguda a la altura produce un incremento en la secreción de testosterona por los testículos en ratas, que dependería al menos parcialmente de un incremento en los niveles de prolactina.

Hirsutismo / Hirsutism

El hirsutismo representa para el médico una posible enfermedad sistemática, sin embargo para la paciente connotaciones emocionales. De una buena comprensión fisiopatológica del problema, resultará un buen diagnóstico y un manejo racional de este importante problema. Se realiza una actualización del tema, enfatizando el rol de la piel como órgano blanco de la acción hormonal

Testosterone and lipid peroxide metabolism in orchidectomised rats.

The effect of testosterone on lipid peroxides and antiperoxidative enzymes in normal and orchidectomised animals has been studied. Orchidectomy results in increased lipid peroxidation in the heart, while administration of testosterone to the animals reverses this to a certain extent. On the other hand the administration of testosterone to normal rats results in increased lipid peroxidation in the liver and heart.

Effects of testosterone propionate, prolactin and photoperiod on feeding behaviours of Indian male weaver birds.

Testosterone propionate (TP) is not associated with the total food consumption of the male weaver bird. Reproductively active birds maintained under long daylength eat continuously however under short daylength they eat in 2-3 peaks and are also reproductively quiescent. Results show that total food consumption is independent of length of photoperiod/reproductive states of the bird, perhaps associated with the caloric demand of the bird. Prolactin (PRL) stimulates the testicular development of the bird. PRL induced weight loss does not involve decrease food intake as there is no change in the total food consumption of the bird and therefore, reflects the improper utilization of the food. This hormone alters the feeding behaviour from cyclic (2-3 peaks) to continuous pattern.

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.

Androgenic control of hepatic mitochondrial metabolism in an apoda, Gegenophis carnosus (Beddome).

In vivo administration of testosterone significantly stimulated the activities of cytochrome oxidase, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GPDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and adenosine triphosphatase (Mg2+ ATPase), in mitochondria isolated from the liver of G. carnosus. Administration of dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione while significantly stimulated the activities of cytochrome oxidase and alpha-GPDH, did not change that of SDH and Mg2+ ATPase. Simultaneous injections of testosterone and actinomycin D or chloramphenicol prevented the testosterone-stimulated activities of all the oxidative enzymes studied. The results clearly document the important stimulatory role of androgens in the regulation of hepatic mitochondrial metabolism in G. carnosus.