Androgen influence on cholesterogenic enzyme mRNA levels in the mouse meibomian gland.

Purpose: We tested our hypothesis that testosterone increases the meibomian gland gene expression of numerous enzymes in the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. Methods: Meibomian glands were obtained from castrated mice treated with vehicle or testosterone for 2 weeks. Tissues were processed for the analysis of selected mRNAs by real-time PCR. Results: Our research demonstrates that testosterone stimulates a significant increase in the mRNA levels of mevalonate kinase, phosphomevalonate kinase, mevalonate pyrophosphate decarboxylase, isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase, squalene epoxidase, lanosterol synthase, lanosterol demethylase, and Δ 7-sterol reductase. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that androgens may promote cholesterol biosynthesis in the meibomian gland.