Bacterial lipopolysaccharide differently modulates steroidogenic enzymes gene expressions in the brain and testis in rats

- Regulation of steroidogenesis in brain and testis in LPS treated rats were studied.
- mRNA expression of 3β and 17β-HSD in brain were increased in LPS treated animals.
- LPS treatment down regulated the expression of 3β and 17β-HSD mRNA in the testis.
- LPS treatment completely repressed ARR19 in the brain and not in testis.
- The brain and the testis respond differently in steroidogenesis under infection.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major component of the cell wall of gram negative bacteria contributing to the pathogenesis of bacterial infection, in particular in those diseases affecting central nervous system and reproductive tissues. The present work is an attempt to study the regulation of steroidogenic enzymes gene expression in the brain and testis in LPS induced rats. Adult male albino rats were administered LPS (5 mg/kg BW) to induce acute inflammation. LPS administration induced severe oxidative damage in the brain and testicular tissue which was evident from decreased activities of enzymic antioxidants and increased lipid peroxidation levels. The mRNA expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) and androgen receptor corepressor-19 kDa (ARR19) in the brain and testis were determined. The mRNA expression of 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD was increased in the brain with significant decrease in the testis at 24 h and 48 h in LPS treated animals. The results also demonstrated an interesting finding that LPS treatment completely represses ARR19 in the brain, while not in the testis. These findings show ARR19 might play a crucial role in regulation of neuronal and testicular steroidogenesis in inflammatory diseases.