Influence of estrogen on metabolism and antioxidative functions in old castrated female rats / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

ABSTRACT

AIM: To investigate the influence of diethylstilbestrol on metabolism and antioxidative functions in old castrated female rats in order to elucidate the physiological and pharmacological effects of estrogen therapy in climacteric. METHODS: The old female rats had been castrated, liver drug-metabolizing enzyme activities and antioxidative indexes were measured in rats treated with and without diethylstilbestrol (100 ?g?kg -1 , qd?40 d, ig). RESULTS: The activities of microsomal NADPH-Cyt C reductase, benzphetamine N-demethylase, aminopyrine N-demethylase, glutathione S-transferase, and the contents of microsomal cytochrome P450, cytochrome b_5 and homogenate glutathione remarkable decreased in the liver of castrated female rats. Meanwhile, an increase of liver malondialdehyde content was also observed. Treatment with diethylstilbestrol could reverse the changes of above indices except for cytochrome b_5. CONCLUSION: The decreased metabolism and antioxidative functions are related to the lower level of estrogen in old castrated female rats. Estrogen plays a significant role in keeping normal metabolism and antioxidative capacities of the liver.