Hormonal control of hamster ear sebaceous gland lipogenesis

Abstract

The sites and hormonal control of lipogenesis in hamster ear sebaceous glands are reported. Sebaceous lipogenesis was determined in ear biopsies by incubation with glucose and tracer concentrations of 14C-acetate in buffer. The 14C-labeled lipids were saponified, extracted, and determined by liquid scintillation counting. Histologically, the ears contained many sebaceous glands. The glands of male animals were much larger and more heavily lipid-stained than glands from females. Lipogenesis was almost entirely confined to the sebaceous glands in the dermal stroma. Lipogenesis was considerably higher in ear biopsies from male hamsters than from female, castrate male, or hypophysectomized male hamsters. In contrast to published data using hypophysectomized rats, where dihydrotestosterone potently and testosterone only weakly increased sebum secretion, both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone potently increased lipogenesis in the ears of hypophysectomized male hamsters. Dihydrotestosterone was somewhat more potent than testosterone in the hamster. Hypophyseal hormones do not appear to be essential for androgen stimulated lipogenesis in the hamster. In female hamsters, 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, 4-androstene-3,17-dione, and 5 alpha-androstane-3,17-dione produced dose-dependent increases in lipogenesis. From this and other studies, it is suggested that androgens other than dihydrotestosterone could be physiologically important in man and animals in stimulating lipogenesis in sebaceous glands.

Anti-Acne Effects of Oriental Herb Extracts: A Novel Screening Method to Select Anti-Acne Agents

“…Cutaneous lipogenesis was measured by determining the incorporation of C 14 -acetate into lipids [12,15]. Briefly, 6-mm punch biopsies were made from the ventral surface of both ears of adult male Syrian hamsters (5-6 weeks old).…”

Involvement of the SREBP pathway in the mode of action of androgens in sebaceous glands in vivo

“…The development and the activity of the sebaceous gland in humans and in many animal species are under the control of androgens (1–5). It is well known that androgen administration in vivo stimulates sebocyte proliferation (6,7), and lipid production (8,9). Excess of androgen stimulation, normally occurring at puberty, contributes to the formation of microcomedones, which represent the primary lesion in acne vulgaris (10).…”

Effects of Topically Applied Spironolactone on Androgen Stimulated Sebaceous Glands in the Hamster Pinna

“…The hamster pinna is a reliable model for evaluation of antiandrogenic effects of spironolactone (7). In the present study, we investigated the effects of 5% SYC-20IG, a 5% spironolactone gel developed for topical application, on the sebaceous gland size of hamster pinna.…”

“…Sebaceous glands of the pinna (6), as well as of the flank organ in the hamster, have been widely used for studying the effects of therapeutic agents on sebaceous glands. The hamster pinna is a reliable model for evaluation of antiandrogenic effects of spironolactone (7). In the present study, we investigated the effects of 5% SYC-20IG, a 5% spironolactone gel developed for topical application, on the sebaceous gland size of hamster pinna.…”