Inhibition of testicular cytochrome P-450-dependent steroid biosynthesis by cis-platinum. Reversal by human chorionic gonadotropin.

The treatment of rats with cis-platinum for 7 days caused a profound, and seemingly selective, decrease (70-80%) in the microsomal cytochrome P-450 levels in the testis. This decrease was accompanied by marked reductions (70-80%) in steroid 17 alpha-hydroxylase activity and in plasma testosterone concentration. The treatment of rats with human chorionic gonadotropin partially restored the cytochrome P-450 concentration and 17 alpha-hydroxylase activity and permitted the plasma testosterone level to approach control values. The effect of cis-platinum on the testicular cytochrome P-450 appeared unrelated to deficiencies in heme metabolic processes, in so far that neither was the activity of delta-aminolevulinate synthetase decreased, nor was that of heme oxygenase increased. These enzymes are rate-limiting in heme biosynthesis and degradation pathways, respectively. Also, the activities of uroporphyrinogen I synthetase, delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase, and ferrochelatase and the concentration of total porphyrins in the testis remained unchanged. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis of the microsomal preparation did not reveal a diminished level of apocytochrome; however, in this preparation, heme could not be detected in molecular weight regions corresponding to cytochrome P-450. The microsomal cytochrome b5 and the mitochondrial heme concentrations were not decreased in cis-platinum-treated rats. It is suggested that the mechanism of depletive action of cis-platinum on microsomal cytochrome P-450 involves an impairment of the effective assembly of heme and apoprotein moieties. It is further suggested that the anterior pituitary hormones control the factor(s) involved in this assembly, a process which is interrupted by cis-platinum.