Molecular and morphological analysis of sex steroid metabolizing enzymes involved in the development and pathology of cardiovascular system

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K08141
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General anatomy (including histology/embryology)
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: TSURUO Yoshihiro 徳島大学, 大学院医歯薬学研究部(医学系), 教授 (90207449)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 山本 悠太 和歌山県立医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (00580672) ; 伊藤 隆雄 和歌山県立医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (30315931) ; 上山 敬司 和歌山県立医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (50264875)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 性ステロイド / ステロイド代謝酵素 / 心血管系 / 分子形態学的解析 / 免疫組織化学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The expression of sex steroid metabolizing enzymes in the cardiovascular system was analyzed by immunohistochemical method using normal rats and pulmonary hypertension models. The analyzed enzymes were 5alpha-reductase type 1 (5alpha-R1), 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3alpha-HSD), 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (CYP17), 3beta-hydroxysteoid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) and 5beta-reductase (5beta-R). These enzymes were expressed in the endothelia, fibroblasts and atrial myocardial cells. The expression of 5alpha-R1 and 3alpha-HSD in the pulmonary artery increased in pulmonary hypertension models. Hence, the steroids produced by sex steroid metabolizing enzymes are supposed to be involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular function.

Free Research Field

解剖学　神経内分泌