Increase in Testosterone Metabolism in the Rat Central Nervous System by Formalin-Induced Tonic Pain
October 2002
in “
Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior
”
TLDR Formalin-induced pain increases testosterone breakdown in the rat brain and spinal cord.
The study investigated the effects of formalin-induced tonic pain (FITP) on testosterone (T) levels in the central nervous system (CNS) and serum of rats. It was found that T was nearly eliminated from the brain and spinal cord 1.5 and 24 hours after formalin injection, similar to levels seen after castration. Serum T levels decreased significantly 1.5 hours post-injection but returned to normal after 24 hours. Pretreatment with finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor, blocked T elimination in the CNS but not in serum. The results suggested that FITP increased 5α-reductase activity, leading to the elimination of endogenous T in the CNS.
