TZP-4238 suppresses plasma testosterone in humans, but its action on the androgen
biosynthesis pathway has not been established. Therefore, we researched the testicular
testosterone level and the testosterone biosynthesis pathway in vitro in rats before and
after receiving a single or continuous oral dose of TZP-4238. The total testosterone fell
to 60% of the basal level within 3-8 hr (p < 0.05) and then returned to the control
concentration by 24 hr after a single administration of 32 mg/kg. The alteration of the
plasma testosterone level correlated well with that of the intratesticular level, which
was decreased to 50% at 3-8 hr and recovered to the control level by 24 hr. However, the
decrement of the plasma LH level at 3-8 hr after a single oral administration was slight
and it then returned to the original level at 12 hr. During the 8 weeks of daily
administration of 0.5 mg/kg of TZP-4238 or chlormadiNone acetate to dogs, the plasma
testosterone levels were slightly lower than the basal extent. In vitro experiments were
conducted on the rat testis using the exogenous precursor steroids 20
alpha-hydroxycholesterol, pregnenolone and progesterone, in various steps leading to the
biosynthesis of testosterone. Trilostane acted at 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (50%
inhibition concentration, IC50 was 1 microM), ketoconazole inhibited the 17
alpha-hydroxylase, and C20, 22- and C17, 20-lyase activities, with an IC50 of 1-50 microM.
Cyproterone acetate inhibited both the 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (IC50;50
microM) and C17, 20-lyase. On the other hand, TZP-4238 exhibited a weaker inhibition of 3
beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (IC50; 100 microM) than cyproterone acetate, but not of
hydroxylase and lyase. Though TZP-4238 did not inhibit the increased testosterone level
induced by hCG, trilostane markedly inhibited the effect induced by hCG.(ABSTRACT
TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)