Effect of sex steroids on the circulating levels of alpha 2-macroglobulin in injured rats
Hirai, C.Y.; Limãos, E.A.
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research 23(10): 1021-1024
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0100-879X PMID: 1713521 Document Number: 360938
The effect of sex steroids on the plasma levels of alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M) was investigated to explain the sexual dimorphism observed in response to the injury caused by ip administration of 5 micrograms endotoxin. Mean serum alpha 2-M concentrations were lower in female (46.82 +/- 8.10 arbitrary units) than in male injured rats (82.94 +/- 9.22 arbitrary units). A reduction of plasma alpha 2-M levels was observed after orchidectomy, and the administration of 1 mg testosterone to the same animals increased the response. The same response pattern was observed in ovariectomized rats under the same treatment. The response of androgenized rats (78.93 +/- 12.81 arbitrary units) to injury was similar to the male response. These results suggest the importance of testosterone as the major determinant of this sex-dependent response.