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The influence of ketoconazole on human adrenal steroidogenesis: incubation studies with tissue slices
Author(s) -
Engelhardt D.,
Weber M. M.,
Miksch T.,
Abedinpour F.,
Jaspers C.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2265.1991.tb03516.x
Subject(s) - ketoconazole , medicine , endocrinology , enzyme , chemistry , androgen , incubation , steroid , dehydrogenase , in vitro , biology , biochemistry , hormone , antifungal , microbiology and biotechnology
Summary.objective The influence of ketoconazole on the various enzymes of human adrenal steroid biosynthesis was examined in vitro . measurements After Incubation of human adrenal tissue slices with labelled precursors and ketoconazole (0–2000 μ M), radioactive metabolites were separated by thin‐layer chromatography and quantified by liquid scintillation counting. Enzyme activity was assessed by measuring conversion of tritium‐labelled precursors to products. resultsIn vitro , ketoconazole showed a significant Inhibition on the following adrenal enzyme systems (with decreasing activity): C17,20‐desmolase (IC 50 2 μ M), 16 α ‐hydroxylase (IC 50 9 μ M), 17α‐hydroxylase (IC 50 18 μ M), 18‐hydroxylase (IC 50 28 μ M), and 11 β ‐hydroxylase (IC 50 35 μ M). In the tested concentrations ketoconazole had no Inhibitory effect on the 21‐hydroxylase, the 3 β ‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and the 20‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase component of the C17,20‐desmolase enzyme system.conclusions The data are in accordance with clinical findings where a strong suppression of serum androgen levels by relatively selective inhibition of C17,20‐desmolase has been assumed. The predominant blocking effect of ketoconazole on adrenal as well as on gonadal androgen biosynthesis might be of clinical benefit in the management of hyperandrogenic states.