Faculty Collaboration Database

An oxidized derivative of linoleic acid stimulates dehydroepiandrosterone production by human adrenal cells. Horm Metab Res 2006 Dec;38(12):803-6

Date

12/14/2006

Pubmed ID

17163354

DOI

10.1055/s-2006-956182

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-33845982603 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   10 Citations

Abstract

We previously reported that an oxidized derivative of linoleic acid stimulated steroidogenesis in rat adrenal cells. This derivative was also detected in human plasma, and was positively correlated with visceral adiposity and plasma DHEA-S. The present study sought to characterize the effects of this derivative, 12,13-epoxy-9-keto-(10- trans)-octadecenoic acid (EKODE), on steroid production by normal human adrenocortical cells obtained during clinically-indicated adrenalectomy. Cell suspensions were incubated in the presence of varying concentrations of EKODE and ACTH. EKODE (16 microM) significantly increased DHEA production by 28% under basal conditions and by 25% in the presence of a low concentration of ACTH (0.2 ng/ml). The effect on DHEA was absent at a higher ACTH concentration (2.0 ng/ml). EKODE decreased cortisol production by 16% (low ACTH) and 25% (high ACTH), but was without effect on cortisol under basal conditions. The results suggest that EKODE affects adrenal DHEA production in the human, possibly by modulating steroidogenic enzyme activity. We postulate that excess visceral fat delivers fatty acids to the liver, where oxidized derivatives are formed that modulate adrenal steroidogenesis. This may be an important phenomenon in the genesis of changes in adrenal function associated with syndromes of obesity, especially those that include androgen excess.

Author List

Bruder ED, Raff H, Goodfriend TL, Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center Adrenal Tumor Study Group

Author

Hershel Raff PhD Professor in the Academic Affairs department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adrenal Glands
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
Cells, Cultured
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Humans
Hydrocortisone
Oleic Acids
Steroids