Arbutin inhibits androgen biosynthesis by rat immature Leydig cells in vitro.
Reprod Toxicol
; 122: 108476, 2023 12.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37783241
ABSTRACT
Arbutin, a widely used skin lightening agent, has raised concerns regarding its potential side effects. In this study, we investigated the impact of arbutin on Leydig cell function using an in vitro model. We measured medium androgen levels, as well as the gene and protein expression related to Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Rat immature Leydig cells from age of 35 days were exposed to arbutin at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 50 µM for a duration of 3 hrs. Following treatment, we observed a significant inhibition of androgen secretion by Leydig cells at both the 5 and 50 µM concentrations of arbutin. Furthermore, at a concentration of 50 µM, arbutin effectively blocked the stimulatory effects of luteinizing hormone (LH) and 8Br-cAMP on androgen secretion. Subsequent analysis revealed that arbutin downregulated the expression of crucial genes involved in androgen production, including Lhcgr, Hsd3b1, Cyp17a1, and Srd5a1. In silico computer program analysis predicted that arbutin exhibits good absorption, possesses a long elimination half-life, and may have other potential toxicity such as hepatoxicity. Taken together, our results demonstrate that arbutin negatively influences Leydig cell function and androgen production, potentially impacting male reproductive health.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Androgens
/
Leydig Cells
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Reprod Toxicol
Journal subject:
EMBRIOLOGIA
/
MEDICINA REPRODUTIVA
/
TOXICOLOGIA
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
China