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Diviccaro S, Cioffi L, Falvo E, Giatti S, Melcangi RC. Allopregnanolone: An overview on its synthesis and effects. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e12996. [PMID: 34189791 PMCID: PMC9285581 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Allopregnanolone, a 3α,5α-progesterone metabolite, acts as a potent allosteric modulator of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor. In the present review, the synthesis of this neuroactive steroid occurring in the nervous system is discussed with respect to physiological and pathological conditions. In addition, its physiological and neuroprotective effects are also reported. Interestingly, the levels of this neuroactive steroid, as well as its effects, are sex-dimorphic, suggesting a possible gender medicine based on this neuroactive steroid for neurological disorders. However, allopregnanolone presents low bioavailability and extensive hepatic metabolism, limiting its use as a drug. Therefore, synthetic analogues or a different therapeutic strategy able to increase allopregnanolone levels have been proposed to overcome any pharmacokinetic issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Diviccaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
| | - Lucia Cioffi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
| | - Eva Falvo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
| | - Silvia Giatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
| | - Roberto Cosimo Melcangi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e BiomolecolariUniversità degli Studi di MilanoMilanoItaly
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Rey M, Kruse MS, Magrini-Huamán RN, Gómez J, Simirgiotis MJ, Tapia A, Feresin GE, Coirini H. Tessaria absinthioides (Hook. & Arn.) DC. (Asteraceae) Decoction Improves the Hypercholesterolemia and Alters the Expression of LXRs in Rat Liver and Hypothalamus. Metabolites 2021; 11:579. [PMID: 34564396 PMCID: PMC8467473 DOI: 10.3390/metabo11090579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic high-fat diet consumption induces hypercholesterolemia. The effect of Tessaria absinthioides (Hook. & Arn.) DC. (Asteraceae) was studied on the levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and triglycerides, and on the expression of liver X receptors (LXRs) in a hypercholesterolemic model. Adult male rats received a normal diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD; normal diet + bovine fat + cholesterol). After 14 days, rats received water (W) or a decoction of the aerial parts of T. absinthioides (Ta; 10% w/v) for 2, 4, or 6 weeks. Four and six weeks of Ta improved the levels of TC and HDL-c in HFD. After 6 weeks of Ta, the expression of LXRs in HFD was the same as that in ND in both tissues. The Ta chemical profile was studied with an ultrahigh resolution liquid chromatography Orbitrap MS analysis (UHPLC-PDA-OT-MS/MS). Fifty-one compounds were identified, of which twelve are reported for the first time. Among these compounds, caffeoylquinic acid and its derivatives could modify the lipid profile and the expression of LXRs. This is the first in vivo report of T. absinthioides, which may be a potential candidate against hypercholesterolemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Rey
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA) C1428ADN, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, Argentina
| | - María S Kruse
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA) C1428ADN, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, Argentina
| | - Rocío N Magrini-Huamán
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA) C1428ADN, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, Argentina
- Instituto de Biotecnología-Instituto de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de San Juan (UNSJ), Av. Libertador General San Martín 1109 (O), San Juan CP 5400, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Católica de Cuyo, Av. José Ignacio de la Roza 1516, San Juan 5400, Argentina
| | - Jessica Gómez
- Instituto de Biotecnología-Instituto de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de San Juan (UNSJ), Av. Libertador General San Martín 1109 (O), San Juan CP 5400, Argentina
| | - Mario J Simirgiotis
- Instituto de Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias, Campus Isla Teja, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on the Nervous System (CISNe), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile
| | - Alejandro Tapia
- Instituto de Biotecnología-Instituto de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de San Juan (UNSJ), Av. Libertador General San Martín 1109 (O), San Juan CP 5400, Argentina
| | - Gabriela E Feresin
- Instituto de Biotecnología-Instituto de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Nacional de San Juan (UNSJ), Av. Libertador General San Martín 1109 (O), San Juan CP 5400, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CABA, Godoy Cruz 2290 (C1425FQB), Argentina
| | - Héctor Coirini
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires (CABA) C1428ADN, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, Argentina
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Giatti S, Diviccaro S, Falvo E, Garcia-Segura LM, Melcangi RC. Physiopathological role of the enzymatic complex 5α-reductase and 3α/β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase in the generation of progesterone and testosterone neuroactive metabolites. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 57:100836. [PMID: 32217094 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2020.100836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The enzymatic complex 5α-reductase (5α-R) and 3α/3β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase (HSOR) is expressed in the nervous system, where it transforms progesterone (PROG) and testosterone (T) into neuroactive metabolites. These metabolites regulate myelination, brain maturation, neurotransmission, reproductive behavior and the stress response. The expression of 5α-R and 3α-HSOR and the levels of PROG and T reduced metabolites show regional and sex differences in the nervous system and are affected by changing physiological conditions as well as by neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. A decrease in their nervous tissue levels may negatively impact the course and outcome of some pathological events. However, in other pathological conditions their increased levels may have a negative impact. Thus, the use of synthetic analogues of these steroids or 5α-R modulation have been proposed as therapeutic approaches for several nervous system pathologies. However, further research is needed to fully understand the consequences of these manipulations, in particular with 5α-R inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Giatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Diviccaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Eva Falvo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luis Miguel Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Cosimo Melcangi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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High-Fat Diets and LXRs Expression in Rat Liver and Hypothalamus. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2019; 39:963-974. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-019-00692-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Solomon VR, Tallapragada VJ, Chebib M, Johnston G, Hanrahan JR. GABA allosteric modulators: An overview of recent developments in non-benzodiazepine modulators. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 171:434-461. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Blanco MJ, La D, Coughlin Q, Newman CA, Griffin AM, Harrison BL, Salituro FG. Breakthroughs in neuroactive steroid drug discovery. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2018; 28:61-70. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.11.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Revised: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Effect of synthetic steroids on GABAA receptor binding in rat brain. Neuroscience 2015; 290:138-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.12.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Revised: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 12/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Abstract
Neurosteroids, like allopregnanolone and pregnanolone, are endogenous regulators of neuronal excitability. Inside the brain, they are highly selective and potent modulators of GABAA receptor activity. Their anticonvulsant, anesthetics and anxiolytic properties are useful for the treatments of several neurological and psychiatric disorders via reducing the risks of side effects obtained with the commercial drugs. The principal disadvantages of endogenous neurosteroids administration are their rapid metabolism and their low oral bioavailability. Synthetic steroids analogues with major stability or endogenous neurosteroids stimulation synthesis might constitute promising novel strategies for the treatment of several disorders. Numerous studies indicate that the 3α-hydroxyl configuration is the key for binding and activity, but modifications in the steroid nucleus may emphasize different pharmacophores. So far, several synthetic steroids have been developed with successful neurosteroid-like effects. In this work, we summarize the properties of various synthetic steroids probed in trials throughout the analysis of several neurosteroids-like actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Rey
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, (C1428ADN) Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Héctor Coirini
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Vuelta de Obligado 2490, (C1428ADN) Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina ; Departamento de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Mehta AK, Ticku MK. Characterization of the picrotoxin site of GABAA receptors. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN PHARMACOLOGY 2013; 63:1.18.1-1.18.18. [PMID: 24510752 DOI: 10.1002/0471141755.ph0118s63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
This unit describes an in vitro assay for characterization of the picrotoxin site of GABAA receptors in rat brain membranes using various radioligands. Methods and representative data for Scatchard analysis (Kd, Bmax determination), association kinetics, dissociation kinetics, and competition assays (IC50, Ki determination) are included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok K Mehta
- The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Maharaj K Ticku
- The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
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