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Luteinizing Hormone and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Decrease Type 2 5-Reductase and Androgen Receptor Protein Levels in Women’s Skin

Laboratory of Molecular Reproductive Biology and Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky 40292

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Ch. V. Rao, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 438 MDR Building, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, Kentucky 40292. E-mail: cvrao001{at}ulkyvm.louisville.edu

The present study tested the hypothesis that LH/hCG may regulate the type 2 5-reductase and androgen receptor protein levels in skin. The skin samples obtained from women undergoing abdominal laparotomy or abdominoplasty were incubated in the presence or absence of hCG. Western blotting was then performed to determine the response of type 2 5-reductase and androgen receptors. The results demonstrated that treatment with hCG resulted in a significant time- and dose-dependent, although modest, decrease in 5-reductase and androgen receptor levels compared to the controls. These effects were mimicked by LH, but not by other hormones in the glycoprotein hormone family, including - and ß-subunits of hCG. Although the biological and clinical importance of this regulation remains to be determined, these findings reaffirm that human skin is among the nongonadal tissues that respond to LH and hCG treatment.

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