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Abstract
Equol (7-hydroxy-3(4'hydroxyphenyl)-chroman) is the major
metabolite of the phytoestrogen daidzein, one of the main
isoflavones found abundantly in soybeans and soy-foods.
Equol may be an important biologically active molecule
based on recent studies demonstrating that equol can
modulate reproductive function. In this study, we
examined the effects of equol on prostate growth and LH
secretion and determined some of the mechanisms by which
it might act. Administration of equol to intact male rats
for 4-7 days reduced ventral prostate and epididymal
weight and increased circulating LH levels. Using binding
assays we determined that equol specifically binds 5-
alpha dihydrotestosterone (DHT), but not testosterone,
DHEA or estrogen with high affinity. Equol does not bind
prostatic androgen receptor, and has a modest affinity
for recombinant estrogen receptor (ER)
, and no
affinity for ER
. In castrated male rats treated
with DHT, concomitant treatment with equol blocked DHT's
trophic effects on the ventral prostate gland growth and
inhibitory feedback effects on plasma LH levels without
changes in circulating DHT. Therefore, equol can bind
circulating DHT and sequester it from the androgen
receptor, thus altering growth and physiological hormone
responses that are regulated by androgens. These data
suggest a novel model to explain equol's biological
properties. The significance of equol's ability to
specifically bind and sequester DHT from the androgen
receptor have important ramifications in health and
disease and may indicate a broad and important usage for
equol in the treatment of androgen mediated pathologies.
Key words:
Androgen receptor •
Epididymis •
Prostate •
Steroid hormones •
Testosterone
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