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Qian M, Covey DF. A unified total synthesis route to 18-trideuterated and/or 19-trideuterated testosterone, androstenedione and progesterone. Steroids 2024; 205:109391. [PMID: 38437943 PMCID: PMC10981554 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2024.109391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
A unified total synthesis route has been used to prepare 18- and 19-trideuterated testosterone, androstenedione and progesterone. The 18-trideuterated steroid synthetic method starts with the synthesis of 2-(methyl-d3)-1,3-cyclopentanedione from CD3I and 1,3-cyclopentanedione and is subsequently converted into the Hajos-Parrish ketone for synthesis of these trideuterated steroids. The 19-trideuterated steroid synthesis proceeds through non-deuterated Hajos-Parrish ketone with incorporation of the 19-methyl-d3 group from CD3I at a later stage of the same synthetic route. Utilization of CD3I at both the initial and later stages of the synthesis provides a route to 18,19-hexadeuterated steroids. The deuterated steroids are useful for studies of steroid biosynthesis and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxing Qian
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Douglas F Covey
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University in St. Louis, School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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2
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Vítků J, Hampl R. Steroid Conjugates and Their Physiological Role. Physiol Res 2023; 72:S317-S322. [PMID: 38116768 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
While there are hundreds of synthetic steroids conjugates with acids, sugars, proteins and other molecules, only two types of conjugates occur in living organisms, namely sulfates and glucuronides. Steroid glucuronidation in the human liver is the main mechanism controlling the levels and biological activity of unconjugated hormones, and glucuronides are their main excretion products. This process is generally irreversible. On the other hand, sulfates possess their own biological activity that differs from that of the unconjugated steroid, emphasizing the importance of steroid sulfatases and sulfotransferases. Due to their negative charge, steroid sulfates cannot cross the blood-cell barrier and have to use transporters. Their efflux is mediated by specific transporters of the ATP binding cassette protein group, which thus are further factors controlling their physiological effects. Steroid sulfates, especially dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) are neuroactive steroids, with well-known effects as allosteric modulators of some neurotransmitter receptors, functioning as ion channels, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid, type A (GABAA) receptors or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. In this minireview, we highlight some recent findings of non-genomic steroid sulfate actions through specific G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR), which we believe show the way of further research. A few studies have even indicated that sulfates such as DHEAS may even indirectly regulate gene expression via ligand binding to the membrane receptor and, through G-protein and second messenger formation, activate proteins like cAMP Regulated Elements Binding protein (CREB), which then binds to regulated DNA elements of the expressed gene, in a "classical" genomic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Vítků
- Department of Steroids and Proteofactors, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czech Republic.
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3
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Solntseva EI, Bukanova JV, Kondratenko R, Kudova E. Corticosteroids as Selective and Effective Modulators of Glycine Receptors. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3132-3142. [PMID: 37584305 PMCID: PMC10485894 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanism of the negative impact of corticosteroids on the induction and progress of mental illness remains unclear. In this work, we studied the effects of corticosteroids on the activity of neuronal glycine receptors (GlyR) and GABA-A receptors (GABAAR) by measuring the chloride current induced by the application of GABA (2 or 5 μM) to isolated cerebellar Purkinje cells (IGABA) and by the application of glycine (100 μM) to pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus (IGly). It was found that corticosterone, 5α-dihydrodeoxycorticosterone, allotetrahydrocorticosterone, cortisol, and 17α,21-dihydroxypregnenolone were able to accelerate the desensitization of the IGly at physiological concentrations (IC50 values varying from 0.39 to 0.72 μM). Next, cortisone, 11-deoxycortisol, 11-deoxycorticosterone, 5β-dihydrodeoxycorticosterone, and tetrahydrocorticosterone accelerated the desensitization of IGly with IC50 values varying from 10.3 to 15.2 μM. Allotetrahydrocorticosterone and tetrahydrocorticosterone potentiated the IGABA albeit with high EC50 values (18-23 μM). The rest of the steroids had no effect on IGABA in the range of concentrations of 1-100 μM. Finally, our study has suggested a structural relationship of the 3β-hydroxyl group/3-oxo group with the selective modulatory activity on GlyRs in contrast to the 3α-hydroxyl group that is pivotal for GABAARs. In summary, our results suggest that increased GlyR desensitization by corticosteroids may contribute to brain dysfunction under chronic stress and identify corticosteroids for further development as selective modulators of GlyRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena I. Solntseva
- Functional
Synaptology Laboratory, Brain Research Institute,
Research Center of Neurology, Moscow 125367, Russia
| | - Julia V. Bukanova
- Functional
Synaptology Laboratory, Brain Research Institute,
Research Center of Neurology, Moscow 125367, Russia
| | - Rodion Kondratenko
- Functional
Synaptology Laboratory, Brain Research Institute,
Research Center of Neurology, Moscow 125367, Russia
| | - Eva Kudova
- Institute
of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague 166 10, Czech Republic
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4
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Covey DF, Evers AS, Izumi Y, Maguire JL, Mennerick SJ, Zorumski CF. Neurosteroid enantiomers as potentially novel neurotherapeutics. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 149:105191. [PMID: 37085023 PMCID: PMC10750765 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Endogenous neurosteroids and synthetic neuroactive steroids (NAS) are important targets for therapeutic development in neuropsychiatric disorders. These steroids modulate major signaling systems in the brain and intracellular processes including inflammation, cellular stress and autophagy. In this review, we describe studies performed using unnatural enantiomers of key neurosteroids, which are physiochemically identical to their natural counterparts except for rotation of polarized light. These studies led to insights in how NAS interact with receptors, ion channels and intracellular sites of action. Certain effects of NAS show high enantioselectivity, consistent with actions in chiral environments and likely direct interactions with signaling proteins. Other effects show no enantioselectivity and even reverse enantioselectivity. The spectrum of effects of NAS enantiomers raises the possibility that these agents, once considered only as tools for preclinical studies, have therapeutic potential that complements and in some cases may exceed their natural counterparts. Here we review studies of NAS enantiomers from the perspective of their potential development as novel neurotherapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas F Covey
- Departments of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Anesthesiology Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alex S Evers
- Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Anesthesiology Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yukitoshi Izumi
- Departments of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jamie L Maguire
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven J Mennerick
- Departments of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Charles F Zorumski
- Departments of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; The Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Hu G, Zhang M, Wang Y, Yu M, Zhou Y. Potential of Heterogeneous Compounds as Antidepressants: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213776. [PMID: 36430254 PMCID: PMC9692659 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a globally widespread disorder caused by a complicated interplay of social, psychological, and biological factors. Approximately 280 million people are suffering from depression worldwide. Traditional frontline antidepressants targeting monoamine neurotransmitters show unsatisfactory effects. The development and application of novel antidepressants for dissimilar targets are on the agenda. This review characterizes the antidepressant effects of multiple endogenous compounds and/or their targets to provide new insight into the working mechanism of antidepressants. We also discuss perspectives and challenges for the generation of novel antidepressants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonghui Hu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Institute of Brain Sciences and Related Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Institute of Brain Sciences and Related Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yuyang Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Ming Yu
- Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Institute, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000, China
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Institute of Brain Sciences and Related Disorders, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Institute, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao 266000, China
- Correspondence:
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Szczurowska E, Szánti-Pintér E, Randáková A, Jakubík J, Kudova E. Allosteric Modulation of Muscarinic Receptors by Cholesterol, Neurosteroids and Neuroactive Steroids. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13075. [PMID: 36361865 PMCID: PMC9656441 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are membrane receptors involved in many physiological processes. Malfunction of muscarinic signaling is a cause of various internal diseases, as well as psychiatric and neurologic conditions. Cholesterol, neurosteroids, neuroactive steroids, and steroid hormones are molecules of steroid origin that, besides having well-known genomic effects, also modulate membrane proteins including muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Here, we review current knowledge on the allosteric modulation of muscarinic receptors by these steroids. We give a perspective on the research on the non-genomic effects of steroidal compounds on muscarinic receptors and drug development, with an aim to ultimately exploit such knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Szczurowska
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Namesti 2, Prague 6, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eszter Szánti-Pintér
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Namesti 2, Prague 6, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Randáková
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Jakubík
- Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Videnska 1083, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Kudova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Flemingovo Namesti 2, Prague 6, 166 10 Prague, Czech Republic
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Hatipoglu E, Hacioglu Y, Polat Y, Arslan HF, Oner S, Ekmekci OB, Niyazoglu M. Do neurosteroids have impact on depression and cognitive functions in cases with acromegaly? Growth Horm IGF Res 2022; 66:101496. [PMID: 35952406 DOI: 10.1016/j.ghir.2022.101496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neurosteroids (NSs) are a distinct hormone group and, they are known for their contribution into the status of mood and cognitive functions. Whether they are also involved in the mood disturbances and cognition in acromegaly is not known. Herein we aimed to evaluate the relation of mood status and cognitive functions with the NS levels in cases with acromegaly. DESIGN A total of 33 cases with acromegaly composed the acromegaly group (AG) and, 30 age and gender-matched cases without acromegaly composed the control group (CG). The levels of Allopregnanolone (AP), pregnenolone (PRG), 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24OHC), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androsterone (ADT), GH and IGF-1 were measured in each group. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to assess depressive symptoms, whereas an extensive neuropsychological assessment with several neurocognitive tests were carried out for each subject by an experienced psychologist. RESULTS Cases with acromegaly had lower 24OHC and DHEA levels (p = 0.002 and p = 0.007, respectively) in comparison to CG. Of the cognitive functions time to complete 1 s Series was significantly higher and, the scores on Switching Verbal Fluency Test, Boston Naming Test (BNT)-semantic and BNT-phonological, the highest learning point of Oktem Verbal Memory Processes Test (VMPT) were significantly lower in cases with acromegaly in comparison to those in controls (p = 0.004, p = 0.01, p < 0.001, p = 0.02 and p = 0.05, respectively). KAS-perseveration errors were higher in CG (p = 0.03). In AG the levels of AP were negatively correlated with the scores on Months backward Test (MBT), Animal Naming Test, Construction, BNT-spontaneous and positively correlated with BNT-incorrect answers; PRG was positively correlated with VMPT-retention scores, ADT was negatively correlated with MBT and 3 s Series scores, DHEAS was positively correlated with VMPT-the highest learning point whereas it was negatively correlated with MBT scores. Additionally, the scores on BDI were positively correlated with DHEA levels in AG. CONCLUSION Cognitive changes may be encountered in acromegaly and, neurosteroids may contribute to the changes in certain cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Hatipoglu
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Yalcin Hacioglu
- Division of Family Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ministry of Health's Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yeliz Polat
- Department of Psychology, Ministry of Health's Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hilmi Furkan Arslan
- Department of Biochemistry, Ministry of Health's Istanbul Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sena Oner
- Department of Biochemistry, Cerrahpasa University, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Balci Ekmekci
- Department of Biochemistry, Cerrahpasa University, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mutlu Niyazoglu
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
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Solntseva EI, Bukanova JV, Skrebitsky VG, Kudova E. Pregnane neurosteroids exert opposite effects on GABA and glycine-induced chloride current in isolated rat neurons. Hippocampus 2022; 32:552-563. [PMID: 35703084 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The ability of endogenous neurosteroids (NSs) with pregnane skeleton modified at positions C-3 and C-5 to modulate the functional activity of inhibitory glycine receptors (GlyR) and ionotropic ɣ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAA R) was estimated. The glycine and GABA-induced chloride current (IGly and IGABA ) were measured in isolated pyramidal neurons of the rat hippocampus and in isolated rat cerebellar Purkinje cells, respectively. Our experiments demonstrated that pregnane NSs affected IGABA and IGly in a different manner. At low concentrations (up to 5 μM), tested pregnane NSs increased or did not change the peak amplitude of the IGABA , but reduced the IGly by decreasing the peak amplitude and/or accelerating desensitization. Namely, allopregnanolone (ALLO), epipregnanolone (EPI), pregnanolone (PA), pregnanolone sulfate (PAS) and 5β-dihydroprogesterone (5β-DHP) enhanced the IGABA in Purkinje cells. Dose-response curves plotted in the concentration range from 1 nM to 100 μM were smooth for EPI and 5β-DHP, but bell-shaped for ALLO, PA and PAS. The peak amplitude of the IGly was reduced by PA, PAS, and 5α- and 5β-DHP. In contrast, ALLO, ISO and EPI did not modulate it. Dose-response curves for the inhibition of the IGly peak amplitude were smooth for all active compounds. All NSs accelerated desensitization of the IGly . The dose-response relationship for this effect was smooth for ALLO, PA, PAS and 5β-DHP, but it was U-shaped for EPI, 5α-DHP and ISO. These results, together with our previous results on NSs with androstane skeleton, offer comprehensive overview for understanding the mechanisms of effects of NSs on IGly and IGABA .
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena I Solntseva
- Functional Synaptology Laboratory, Brain Research Department, Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Julia V Bukanova
- Functional Synaptology Laboratory, Brain Research Department, Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir G Skrebitsky
- Functional Synaptology Laboratory, Brain Research Department, Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Eva Kudova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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Vitku J, Hill M, Kolatorova L, Kubala Havrdova E, Kancheva R. Steroid Sulfation in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:839887. [PMID: 35281259 PMCID: PMC8904904 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.839887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid sulfation and desulfation participates in the regulation of steroid bioactivity, metabolism and transport. The authors focused on sulfation and desulfation balance in three neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer´s disease (AD), Parkinson´s disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Circulating steroid conjugates dominate their unconjugated counterparts, but unconjugated steroids outweigh their conjugated counterparts in the brain. Apart from the neurosteroid synthesis in the central nervous system (CNS), most brain steroids cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) from the periphery and then may be further metabolized. Therefore, steroid levels in the periphery partly reflect the situation in the brain. The CNS steroids subsequently influence the neuronal excitability and have neuroprotective, neuroexcitatory, antidepressant and memory enhancing effects. They also exert anti-inflammatory and immunoprotective actions. Like the unconjugated steroids, the sulfated ones modulate various ligand-gated ion channels. Conjugation by sulfotransferases increases steroid water solubility and facilitates steroid transport. Steroid sulfates, having greater half-lives than their unconjugated counterparts, also serve as a steroid stock pool. Sulfotransferases are ubiquitous enzymes providing massive steroid sulfation in adrenal zona reticularis and zona fasciculata.. Steroid sulfatase hydrolyzing the steroid conjugates is exceedingly expressed in placenta but is ubiquitous in low amounts including brain capillaries of BBB which can rapidly hydrolyze the steroid sulfates coming across the BBB from the periphery. Lower dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) plasma levels and reduced sulfotransferase activity are considered as risk factors in AD patients. The shifted balance towards unconjugated steroids can participate in the pathophysiology of PD and anti-inflammatory effects of DHEAS may counteract the MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Vitku
- Department of Steroids and Proteofactors, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Jana Vitku,
| | - Martin Hill
- Department of Steroids and Proteofactors, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czechia
| | - Lucie Kolatorova
- Department of Steroids and Proteofactors, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czechia
| | - Eva Kubala Havrdova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Radmila Kancheva
- Department of Steroids and Proteofactors, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czechia
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The Neuroactive Steroid Pregnanolone Glutamate: Anticonvulsant Effect, Metabolites and Its Effect on Neurosteroid Levels in Developing Rat Brains. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 15:ph15010049. [PMID: 35056106 PMCID: PMC8780580 DOI: 10.3390/ph15010049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnanolone glutamate (PA-G) is a neuroactive steroid that has been previously demonstrated to be a potent neuroprotective compound in several biological models in vivo. Our in vitro experiments identified PA-G as an inhibitor of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and a potentiator of γ-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAARs). In this study, we addressed the hypothesis that combined GABAAR potentiation and NMDAR antagonism could afford a potent anticonvulsant effect. Our results demonstrated the strong age-related anticonvulsive effect of PA-G in a model of pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures. PA-G significantly decreased seizure severity in 12-day-old animals, but only after the highest dose in 25-day-old animals. Interestingly, the anticonvulsant effect of PA-G differed both qualitatively and quantitatively from that of zuranolone, an investigational neurosteroid acting as a potent positive allosteric modulator of GABAARs. Next, we identified 17-hydroxy-pregnanolone (17-OH-PA) as a major metabolite of PA-G in 12-day-old animals. Finally, the administration of PA-G demonstrated direct modulation of unexpected neurosteroid levels, namely pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. These results suggest that compound PA-G might be a pro-drug of 17-OH-PA, a neurosteroid with a promising neuroprotective effect with an unknown mechanism of action that may represent an attractive target for studying perinatal neural diseases.
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