Comprehensive Zebrafish Water Tank Experiment for Metabolic Studies of Testolactone.

Testolactone is a potent steroid aromatase (CYP19A1) inhibitor, and its main effect is a reduction in estradiol and estrone and an increase in testosterone and androstenedione levels. In this work, we evaluated a zebrafish water tank (ZWT) as a model to investigate testolactone biotransformation and the possibility to increase knowledge regarding the applicability of the ZWT on steroid hormone elimination research, as well as on the impact of steroid hormones on the endogenous metabolism of zebrafish. High-resolution mass spectrometry combined with SIEVE software was used to discriminate the peaks of interest based on significant changes in the relative signal intensity of the m/z values between different ZWT experiments. The metabolites, 4,5-dihydrotestolactone and 1,2,4,5-tetrahydrotestolactone, the same metabolites as those described in humans, were detected in ZWT, both in quite similar proportions. The presence of testolactone in the ZWT caused a rise in testosterone and androstenedione in the water tank, similar to that in human serum. These data suggest that, while the concentration of testolactone was high enough to inhibit the aromatase enzyme, an accumulation of androgens in the water occurred, indicating that the ZWT can be considered a model to investigate the impact of steroids on live organisms.

New Multi-target Antagonists of α1A-, α1D-Adrenoceptors and 5-HT1A Receptors Reduce Human Hyperplastic Prostate Cell Growth and the Increase of Intraurethral Pressure.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by stromal cell proliferation and contraction of the periurethral smooth muscle, causing lower urinary tract symptoms. Current BPH treatment, based on monotherapy with α1A-adrenoceptor antagonists, is helpful for many patients, but insufficient for others, and recent reports suggest that stimulation of α1D-adrenoceptors and 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) (5-HT)1A receptors contributes to cell proliferation. In this study, we investigated the potential of three N-phenylpiperazine derivatives (LDT3, LDT5, and LDT8) as multi-target antagonists of BPH-associated receptors. The affinity and efficacy of LDTs were estimated in isometric contraction and competition-binding assays using tissues (prostate and aorta) and brain membrane samples enriched in specific on- or off-target receptors. LDTs' potency was estimated in intracellular Ca(2+) elevation assays using cells overexpressing human α1-adrenoceptor subtypes. The antiproliferative effect of LDTs on prostate cells from BPH patients was evaluated by viable cell counting and 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assays. We also determined LDTs' effects on rat intraurethral and arterial pressure. LDT3 and LDT5 are potent antagonists of α1A-, α1D-adrenoceptors, and 5-HT1A receptors (Ki values in the nanomolar range), and fully inhibited phenylephrine- and 5-HT-induced proliferation of BPH cells. In vivo, LDT3 and LDT5 fully blocked the increase of intraurethral pressure (IUP) induced by phenylephrine at doses (ED50 of 0.15 and 0.09 µg.kg(-1), respectively) without effect on basal mean blood pressure. LDT3 and LDT5 are multi-target antagonists of key receptors in BPH, and are capable of triggering both prostate muscle relaxation and human hyperplastic prostate cell growth inhibition in vitro. Thus, LDT3 and LDT5 represent potential new lead compounds for BPH treatment.