OBJECTIVE: Statins can inhibit therate-limiting enzyme hydroxymethyl glutaric acid-coenzyme A reductase to reduce cholesterol biosynthesis, and they are used frequently in the clinic. Cholesterol is also a precursor for sex hormones. However, it is not clear whether statins can affect sex hormone levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term use of statins on sex hormone levels in vivo. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Three simvastatin groups were administered different doses of simvastatin intragastrically daily (4, 8, or 16 mg/kg/day, n = 10). The control group was administered vehicle intragastrically daily (n = 10). The serum lipid spectrum and testosterone, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured before (0 weeks) and after 20 and 40 weeks of simvastatin administration. RESULTS: In the control group, there were no statistically significant differences between lipid levels, liver function, or sex hormone levels before and after intragastric administration. Compared with the previous intragastric administration group, there was no obvious change in liver function with different doses of simvastatin. However, serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone were markedly decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. By contrast, the levels of FSH and LH were significantly higher, showing feedback regulation. CONCLUSION: Long-term simvastatin intake reduces serum testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone levels in male rats. ABBREVIATIONS: HMG-CoA = hydroxymethyl glutaric acid CoA LDL = low-density lipoprotein LDL-C = low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol FSH = follicle-stimulating hormone LH = luteinizing hormone.
OBJECTIVE: Statins can inhibit therate-limiting enzyme hydroxymethyl glutaric acid-coenzyme A reductase to reduce cholesterol biosynthesis, and they are used frequently in the clinic. Cholesterol is also a precursor for sex hormones. However, it is not clear whether statins can affect sex hormone levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term use of statins on sex hormone levels in vivo. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Three simvastatin groups were administered different doses of simvastatin intragastrically daily (4, 8, or 16 mg/kg/day, n = 10). The control group was administered vehicle intragastrically daily (n = 10). The serum lipid spectrum and testosterone, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured before (0 weeks) and after 20 and 40 weeks of simvastatin administration. RESULTS: In the control group, there were no statistically significant differences between lipid levels, liver function, or sex hormone levels before and after intragastric administration. Compared with the previous intragastric administration group, there was no obvious change in liver function with different doses of simvastatin. However, serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone were markedly decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. By contrast, the levels of FSH and LH were significantly higher, showing feedback regulation. CONCLUSION: Long-term simvastatin intake reduces serum testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone levels in male rats. ABBREVIATIONS: HMG-CoA = hydroxymethyl glutaric acid CoA LDL = low-density lipoprotein LDL-C = low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol FSH = follicle-stimulating hormone LH = luteinizing hormone.
Authors: D S Lopez; W Wulaningsih; K K Tsilidis; J Baillargeon; S B Williams; R Urban; S Rohrmann Journal: Hormones (Athens) Date: 2020-02-19 Impact factor: 2.885
Authors: Michael Leutner; Caspar Matzhold; Luise Bellach; Carola Deischinger; Jürgen Harreiter; Stefan Thurner; Peter Klimek; Alexandra Kautzky-Willer Journal: Ann Rheum Dis Date: 2019-09-26 Impact factor: 19.103
Authors: So Young Kim; Dae Myoung Yoo; Chanyang Min; Ji Hee Kim; Mi Jung Kwon; Joo-Hee Kim; Hyo Geun Choi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-12 Impact factor: 3.390