Drospirenone intake alters plasmatic steroid levels and cyp17a1 expression in gonads of juvenile sea bass. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blanco, Maria; Fernandes, Denise; Medina, Paula; Blázquez, Mercedes; Porte, Cinta
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 213(2016)
• Page Start: 541
• Page End: 548
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Progestins -- Sea bass -- Sex steroids -- Metabolism -- cyp17a1; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.03.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Drospirenone (DRO) is one of the most widely used progestins in contraceptive treatments and hormone replacement therapies. The pharmacokinetics and potential toxicological effects of DRO were investigated in juvenile sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax ) exposed through the diet (0.01–10 μg DRO/g) for up to 31 days. DRO was detected in the blood (4–27 ng/mL) of fish exposed to the highest concentration, with no significant bioaccumulation over time and no alteration of hepatic metabolizing enzymes, namely, CYP1A and CYP3A-catalysed activities and UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UGT). Pregnenolone (P5), progesterone (P4), 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17P4), 17α-hydroxypregnenolone (17P5), androstenedione (AD) and testosterone (T) were determined in plasma and gene expression of cyp17a1, cyp19a1a and cyp11β analysed by qRT-PCR in gonads. The significant increase in plasmatic levels of 17P5, 17P4 and AD detected after 31 days exposure to 10 ng DRO/g together with the increased expression of cyp17a1 in females evidence the ability of DRO to alter steroid synthesis at low intake concentrations (7 ng DRO/day). However, the potential consequences of this steroid shift for female reproduction remain to be investigated. Highlights: Juvenile sea bass were exposed to drospirenone through the diet. Drospirenone was detected in blood at the low ng/mL range. No alteration of hepatic metabolizing enzymes were observed. cyp17a1 gene expression in ovaries was up-regulated by drospirenone. Increased levels of plasmatic steroids observed after 31 days exposure. Abstract : Increased levels of steroids in plasma of juvenile sea bass after a daily intake of 7 ng of drospirenone for 31 days.