Influence of naringenin on the activity of enzymes participating in steroidogenesis in male rats.

The aim of the experiment was to histochemically examine the activity of the following selected steroidogenic enzymes: delta5 3betaHSD and 17betaHSD and the housekeeping enzyme G6PDH, in experimental rats after subcutaneous injections of naringenin flavonoid, at a daily dose of 15 mg/kg of body mass. The enzyme activities were measured by the microdensitometric method. Additionally, radioimmunological assay for testosterone level was conducted in homogenates of testes. A significant decrease in the activity of 17betaHSD and of G6PDH was found, while the activity of delta5 3betaHSD was not significantly changed. The results permit a statement that naringenin causes minor changes in metabolic processes in the testes of rats but it does not significantly affect the synthesis of androgens.