Involvement of nitric oxide synthase in the mechanism of histamine-induced inhibition of Leydig cell steroidogenesis via histamine receptor subtypes in Sprague-Dawley rats.

This study was conducted to shed light on the so far unexplored intracellular mechanisms underlying negative modulation of Leydig cell steroidogenesis by histamine (HA). Using the MA-10 cell line and highly purified rat Leydig cells as experimental models, we examined the effect of the amine on biochemical steps known to be modulated by HA or involved in LH/hCG action. In agreement with previous findings, HA at 10 microM showed a potent inhibitory effect on hCG-stimulated steroid synthesis, regardless of the gonadotropin concentration used. Moreover, HA decreased not only LH/hCG-induced cAMP production but also steroid synthesis stimulated by the permeable cAMP analog dibutyryl cAMP (db-cAMP). Considering the post-cAMP sites of HA action, it is shown herein that HA markedly inhibited db-cAMP-stimulated steroidogenic acute regulatory (STAR) protein expression, as well as steps catalyzed by P450-dependent enzymes, mainly the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone by cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A). The antisteroidogenic action of HA was blocked by addition of the phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor U73122, and HA significantly augmented inositol triphosphate (IP3) production, suggesting a major role for the PLC/IP3 pathway in HA-induced inhibition of Leydig cell function. Finally, HA increased nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, and the NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) markedly attenuated the effect of the amine on steroid synthesis. On the basis of our findings, HA antagonizes the gonadotropin action in Leydig cells at steps before and after cAMP formation. NOS activation is the main intracellular mechanism by which HA exerts its antisteroidogenic effects.