Pharmacological Regulation of the Cholesterol Transport Machinery in Steroidogenic Cells of the Testis

Yasaman Aghazadeh, Barry R. Zirkin, Vassilios Papadopoulos

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Reduced serum testosterone (T), or hypogonadism, is estimated to affect about 5 million American men, including both aging and young men. Low serum T has been linked to mood changes, worsening cognition, fatigue, depression, decreased lean body mass and bone mineral density, increased visceral fat, metabolic syndrome, decreased libido, and sexual dysfunction. Administering exogenous T, known as T-replacement therapy (TRT), reverses many of the symptoms of low T levels. However, this treatment can result in luteinizing hormone suppression which, in turn, can lead to reduced sperm numbers and infertility, making TRT inappropriate for men who wish to father children. Additionally, TRT may result in supraphysiologic T levels, skin irritation, and T transfer to others upon contact; and there may be increased risk of prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease, particularly in aging men. Therefore, the development of alternate therapies for treating hypogonadism would be highly desirable. To do so requires greater understanding of the series of steps leading to T formation and how they are regulated, and the identification of key steps that are amenable to pharmacological modulation so as to induce T production. We review herein our current understanding of mechanisms underlying the pharmacological induction of T formation in hypogonadal testis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationVitamins and Hormones
PublisherAcademic Press Inc.
Pages189-227
Number of pages39
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

Publication series

NameVitamins and Hormones
Volume98
ISSN (Print)0083-6729

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Cholesterol transport
  • Hypogonadism
  • Infertility
  • Leydig cells
  • STAR
  • Steroidogenesis
  • TSPO
  • Testosterone
  • Testosterone replacement therapy
  • VDAC1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Endocrinology

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