24-Hydroxycholesterol Suppresses Steroid 5α-Reductase-Catalyzed Conversion in Human Glioblastoma Cell Lines: A Novel Link Between Brain Cholesterol Homeostasis and Androgen Metabolism

The study explores the impact of 24-hydroxycholesterol on androgen metabolism in human glioblastoma cell lines, focusing on the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) via the 5α-reductase pathway. It was found that 24-hydroxycholesterol significantly suppresses DHT formation by 30-60% in T98G glioblastoma cells, similar to the effects of the synthetic inhibitor finasteride, and increases the conversion of testosterone to androstenedione. This effect was consistent across other glioblastoma and neuroblastoma cell lines, suggesting a novel link between brain cholesterol homeostasis and androgen metabolism. The findings indicate a potential therapeutic target for influencing glioblastoma growth by modulating cholesterol and androgen pathways.