Testosterone suppresses oxidative stress in human neutrophils |
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Authors: | Douglas Popp Marin Anaysa Paola Bolin Rita de Cassia Macedo dos Santos Rui Curi Rosemari Otton |
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Affiliation: | 1. Postgraduate Program—Human Movement Sciences Institute of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Cruzeiro do Sul University, S?o Paulo, SP 01506‐000, Brazil;2. Biological Science and Health Sciences, Cruzeiro do Sul University, S?o Paulo, SP 03342‐000, Brazil;3. Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of S?o Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 1524, 05508‐900, Butantan, S?o Paulo, SP, Brazil |
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Abstract: | The in vitro effect of testosterone on human neutrophil function was investigated. Blood neutrophils from healthy male subjects were isolated and treated with 10 nM, 0.1 and 10 µM testosterone for 24 h. As compared with untreated cells, the testosterone treatment produced a significant decrease of superoxide production as indicated by the measurement of extra‐ and intracellular superoxide content. An increment in the production of nitric oxide was observed at 0.1 and 10 µM testosterone concentrations, whereas no effect was found for 10 nM. Intracellular calcium mobilization was significantly increased at 10 nM, whereas it was reduced at 10 µM testosterone. There was an increase in phagocytic capacity at 10 nM and a decrease of microbicidal activity in neutrophils treated with testosterone at 10 µM. Glutathione reductase activity was increased by testosterone treatment, whereas no effect was observed in other antioxidant enzyme activities. An increase in the content of thiol groups was observed at all testosterone concentrations. Lipid peroxidation in neutrophils evaluated by levels of TBARS was decreased at 10 nM and 0.1 µM testosterone. These results indicate the antioxidant properties of testosterone in neutrophils as suggested by reduction of superoxide anion production, and lipid peroxidation, and by the increase in nitric oxide production, glutathione reductase activity and the content of thiol groups. Therefore, the plasma levels of testosterone are important regulators of neutrophil function and so of the inflammatory response. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
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Keywords: | testosterone leukocytes antioxidant oxidative stress free radicals |
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