Resveratrol inhibits steroidogenesis in human fetal adrenocortical cells at the end of first trimester.

Scope: Resveratrol has a diverse array of healthful effects on metabolic parameters in different experimental paradigms but has also potential to inhibit steroidogenesis in rodent adrenals. The aim of the present study was to characterize the effects of resveratrol on human fetal adrenal steroidogenesis at gestational weeks (GW) 9-12.

Methods And Results: Adrenals from aborted fetuses (GW10-12) were used to prepare primary cultures of human fetal adrenocortical cells (HFAC). HFAC were treated in the presence or absence of ACTH (10 ng/mL) with or without resveratrol (10 μM) for 24 h. The production of steroids by HFAC was analyzed by gas and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem/mass spectrometry. The expression of steroidogenic enzymes at GW 9-12 was quantified by automated Western blotting. We observed that resveratrol significantly suppressed synthesis of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), androstenedione and 11-deoxicortisol by ACTH-activated and unstimulated HFAC, which was associated with inhibition of the activities and expression of cytochromes 17α-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase (CYP17) and 21-hydroxylase (CYP21) in these fetal adrenocortical cells.

Conclusion: Our in vitro findings on the sensitivity of human fetal adrenal steroidogenesis to resveratrol at GW9-12 suggest that intake of this polyphenol at high doses by women who are at early stages of pregnancy is undesirable.