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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1990; 96(4): 15-24
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1210983
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© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effects of Prolonged Administration of Lovastatin, an Inhibitor of Cholesterol Synthesis, on the Morphology and Function of Rat Leydig Cells

P. G. Andreis, L. Cavallini, G. Mazzocchi, G. G. Nussdorfer
  • Department of Anatomy, University of Padua/Italy
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Publication History

1989

Publication Date:
16 July 2009 (online)

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Summary

We examined the effects of a prolonged treatment with lovastatin, a potent competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, on the morphology and function of rat Leydig cells. Twenty-four h after the first lovastatin injection, no conspicuous ultrastructural changes were found, but isolated Leydig cells showed a notable reduction in their basal and HCG-stimulated testosterone production. By prolonging lovastatin administration (daily injections for 3 and 5 days), Leydig cells progressively recovered their secretory activity, and this was associated with a striking proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes. The hypothesis is discussed that these morphologic changes are the counterpart of an enhanced newly synthesis of HMG-CoA reductase, that is the expression of a compensatory response of Leydig cells aimed at maintaining an adequate production of cholesterol (i.e. testosterone precursors) in spite of the chronic competitive inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase by lovastatin.

Key words

Leydig cells - Cholesterol metabolism - Lovastatin - Rat - Morphometry

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