Influence of the adipose derived hormone resistin onsignal transducer and activator of transcription factors, steroidogenesis and proliferation of Leydig cells

摘要

Objective:To explore whether resistin, an adipose derived hormone linked to insulin resistance, influence steroidogenic genes expressions andLeydig cells function or not.Methods:Various Leydig cell lines were exposed to increasing doses of resistin with or without cAMP.Changes were monitored at the protein level for signal transducer and activator of transcription(STAT) factors and steroidogenic components, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein(STAR) and cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme(CYP11A1), for progesterone production and cell viability.Results:Resistin had no effect on progesterone production, despite an increase in nuclear translocation ofSTAT1,STAT3 andSTAT5 and unexpected synergy with cAMP in the synthesis ofSTAR and CYP11A1.In addition, exposure to normal levels of resistin(10 ng/mL) seemed to have beneficial effects onLeydig cell function, as it increased cells viability and proliferation.Conclusions:Our results suggest that resistin may function as an endocrine mediator linking metabolism and male reproduction.