Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on ubiquinone and catalase in the livers of male F-344 rats

Abstract

The adrenal steroid, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) acts as a peroxisome proliferator in the rodents. The present study examined the effects on cellular antioxidants ubiquinone and catalase in the liver of DHEA-treated rats. When administered to male F-344 rats for 8 weeks, DHEA produced a significant increase in hepatic ubiquinone-9 and lipid peroxide levels while no change was observed after 2 weeks. Activity of catalase, in contrast, followed an inverse pattern, being significantly induced at 2 weeks with a return to normal levels after 8 weeks. A marked reduction of ubiquinone-10 in DHEA-treated rat livers was only observed after 2 weeks. These findings indicate the potentials of high dose DHEA to modulate ubiquinone in rat hepatic tissue. © 2005 Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.