Inhibition of human erythrocyte glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity by dehydroepiandrosterone and related steroids

ABSTRACT

The inhibitory effects of several steroids on G6PD activity using intact erythrocytes are reported. Incubation of whole blood with dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA] resulted in 42% and 12% inhibition in the enzyme activity in the presence and absence of oxygen, respectively. Addition of epinephrine and/or aminophylline into the incubation medium caused further enzyme inhibition suggesting a possible involvement of cAMP in the mechanism by which G6PD activity is inhibited in the system used. The activity of the enzyme was also inhibited by testosterone propionate [11%], progesterone [25%], and estradiol [15%] at their physiological concentrations. The data obtained provides further evidence for the possible regulatory effects of steroids, particularly DHEA, on G6PD activity