Stress-induced glucocorticoids alter the Leydig cells' timing and steroidogenesis-related systems. (1st December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Medar, Marija Lj; Andric, Silvana A.; Kostic, Tatjana S.
• Is Part Of: Molecular and cellular endocrinology. Volume 538(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12-01
• Subjects: Clock genes -- Diurnal activity -- Glucocorticoids -- Leydig cell -- Testosterone -- Stress; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Endocrinology -- Periodicals; Hormones -- Periodicals; Endocrinologie -- Périodiques; Cytology; Endocrinology; Molecular biology; Periodicals; 573.4
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111469
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0303-7207

Abstract

Abstract: The study aimed to analyze the time-dependent consequences of stress on gene expression responsible for diurnal endocrine Leydig cell function connecting them to the glucocorticoid-signaling. In the first 24h after the stress event, a daily variation of blood corticosterone increased, and testosterone decreased; the testosterone/corticosterone were lowest at the end of the stress session overlapping with inhibition of Leydig cells' steroidogenesis-related genes ( Nr3c1 /GR, Hsd3b1/2, Star, Cyp17a1 ) and changed circadian activity of the clock genes (the increased Bmal1 /BMAL1 and Per1 /2/PER1 and decreased Cry1 and Rev-erba ). The glucocorticoid-treated rats showed a similar response. The principal-component-analysis (PCA) displayed an absence of significant differences between treatments especially on Per1 and Rev-erba, the findings confirmed by the in vivo blockade of the testicular glucocorticoid receptor (GR) during stress and ex vivo treatment of the Leydig cells with hydrocortisone and GR-blocker. In summary, stressful stimuli can entrain the clock in the Leydig cells through glucocorticoid-mediated communication. Highlights: Stress disturbs circadian clock and steroidogenesis-related genes in Leydig cells. Stress and Dexasone provoke a similar response on clock and steroidogenesis genes. Stress affects clock in the Leydig cells through glucocorticoid-mediated communication.