Androgen Environment and β-Glucuronidase Activity in the Human Kidney

Abstract

Basal β -glucuronidase activity was measured in the cytosol of renal cortex in 10 women and nine men, and its levels were correlated to the concentrations of the main circulating androgens and to the cytoplasmic androgen receptor content. β -Glucuronidase activity in women was similar to that found in men, despite blood testosterone levels being higher in the latter. The activity of the enzyme does not appear to be related to circulating levels of either testosterone or androstenedione. Only in men the androgen receptor content and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate levels were inversely correlated to β-glucuronidase. In the human kidney cytosol there is no evidence of sexual dimorphism in basal β-glucuronidase activity; whereas the total testosterone circulating levels do not seem to control the enzyme activity.

Key Words:

• Androgen
• β-Glucuronidase
• Kidney