Functional, Biochemical, and Morphological Hepatobiliary Effects in Rats Chronically Exposed to a Steroidal Antiandrogen

Abstract Yellow–brown deposits in intrahepatic bile ducts and portal macrophages were observed for male, but not female, Sprague–Dawley rats fed zanoterone, a steroidal antiandrogen, for ≥3 months. The lesion did not affect biliary canaliculi and was associated with changes of biliary epithelium, portal chronic inflammation, and bile duct proliferation. Deposit formation was assumed to be related to a gender-related anomaly in bile composition and/or flow. Therefore, the pathogenesis of the lesion was investigated in male, female, and orchiectomized rats. Hepatobiliary structure and function were evaluated after 3 months of treatment and 3 months of reversibility. Drug biliary disposition w…