Antifertility activity of Quassia amara: quassin inhibits the steroidogenesis in rat Leydig cells in vitro.

The crude methanol extract of the stem wood of Quassia amara L. inhibited both the basal and LH-stimulated testosterone secretion of rat Leydig cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Fractionation of the extract by chromatography gave quassin (1) and 2-methoxycanthin-6-one (2); compound 1 proved to be the bioactive agent.

Clinical, biochemical and morphologic features of acne keloidalis in a black population.

BACKGROUND: Acne keloidalis (AK) is an important cause of morbidity in Nigeria and accounts for 1.3% of patients with skin conditions in a Nigerian dermatology clinic. Treatment is usually unsatisfactory because the etiopathogenesis is unclear. METHODS: A prospective clinico-pathological study was carried out to identify predisposing factors, viable treatment modalities, and prognostic indicators. RESULTS: The study suggested that AK is associated with the male gender seborrheic constitution, early reproductive years, and increased fasting blood testosterone concentration. Features that may predispose to the vastly predominant occipital location of the lesions include increased mast cell density and dilatation of dermal capillaries. MANAGEMENT: The main aims are diagnosis of early papules and avoidance of physical and chemical traumatizing agents. Retinoic acid analogs and antiandrogens may be helpful. CONCLUSIONS: The widespread use of irritating physical and chemical traditional treatment remedies and delay in seeking medical attention--AK is typically asymptomatic--contribute to the relatively advanced nature of the disease at the time of presentation to the specialist.

Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and steroid hormone changes in normal weight women during the menstrual cycle.

OBJECTIVE: To study total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and steroid changes in normal weight women during the menstrual cycle. METHOD: Multiple point blood samples obtained at different phases of the menstrual cycle in 14 student nurses, consuming normal Nigerian diets (rich in vegetable based proteins and fiber), were analyzed for HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and for the steroids progesterone, estradiol and testosterone by RIA. RESULTS: A multivariate repeated measures analysis was carried out according to Pillais, Hotelings Willes and Roys tests and the three phases of menstrual cycle were found to be significantly different with the significance level at 0.030. CONCLUSION: The fluctuations in plasma lipids that occur at different phases of the menstrual cycle have important implications in evaluating the factors of coronary heart disease in women of reproductive age. Also, the results suggest that multiple point measurements may give a better estimate of plasma lipid changes in blood in women of reproductive age.

Effect of chronic chloroquine treatment on prostaglandin and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation of testosterone secretion by the rat testis.

The effect of chronic chloroquine administration on prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulation of testosterone secretion by the rat Leydig cells was studied. Adult albino (Wistar strain) rats were injected with 4 mg/kg body weight of chloroquine phosphate every other day for 30 days. At the end of the period of treatment, the rats were sacrificed and the Leydig cells incubated with hCG and/or PGE1 for 3 hrs. The amount of testosterone secreted was estimated by radioimmunoassay. Chronic chloroquine treatment did not affect the activity of the Leydig cells and combined PGE1 and hCG did not show any additive effects.

Effect of acute chloroquine treatment on prostaglandin- and gonadotropin-stimulated testosterone secretion of rat testis.

The effect of chloroquine injection to rats on in vitro-testosterone secretion stimulated by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) was studied. Rats were injected for 5 days with chloroquine phosphate. Testosterone secretion was stimulated by hCG or PGE1 for 3 h in the removed testis and was measured by radioimmunoassay. Chloroquine treatment in vivo does not seem to have any demonstrable effect on testosterone secretion stimulated by hCG or PGE 1 in prepubertal as well as in the postpubertal rats. However, in pubertal rats chloroquine treatment inhibited testosterone secretion in hCG-stimulated testis.

Inhibition of gonadotropin and prostaglandin stimulation of testicular steroidogenesis in malnourished rats.

The effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on testicular steroidogenesis in protein-deficient and refed rats was studied in vitro. The malnourished, refed, and control rats were found to secret testosterone in response to hCG and PGE1 stimulation. There was a significant reduction in the basal level of secretion in the malnourished rat testis (1.0 +/- 0.4 nMol/3 hr./Testis). Malnourished rats refed with adequate protein diet responded to hCG and PGE1 stimulation in a similar manner to normally-fed adult rats.

17 Beta-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone in the normal menstrual cycle of Nigerians.

Circulating blood levels of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone are reported in 17 normally menstruating Nigerian women. The pattern of secretion and the range of levels of estradiol and progesterone are similar to those reported in other ethnic groups. Testosterone levels were, in general, higher than corresponding values in Caucasian or Asian women, but were of the same order of magnitude as previously reported in Zambian African women.

Endocrine function and haemoglobinopathies: relation between the sickle cell gene and circulating plasma levels of testosterone, luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in adult males.

Circulating plasma levels of testosterone, luteinising hormone and follicle stimulating hormone were determined in adult Nigerian males who have haemoglobin (Hb) genotypes HbAA, AS, AC, SC and SS. The levels of the three hormones were significantly lower in homozygous sickle cell disease (HbSS) compared to the other groups, whereas the levels of testosterone and luteinising hormone were significantly reduced in HbSC heterozygotes compared to HbAS heterozygotes only. These results are suggestive of an association of secondary hypogonadism with haemoglobin S disease.