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Cioffi L, Diviccaro S, Chrostek G, Caruso D, Garcia-Segura LM, Melcangi RC, Giatti S. Neuroactive steroids fluctuate with regional specificity in the central and peripheral nervous system across the rat estrous cycle. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2024; 243:106590. [PMID: 39053702 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2024.106590] [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: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Neuroactive steroids (i.e., sex steroid hormones and neurosteroids) are important physiological regulators of nervous function and potential neuroprotective agents for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. Sex is an important component of such effects. However, even if fluctuations in sex steroid hormone level during the menstrual cycle are associated with neuropathological events in some women, the neuroactive steroid pattern in the brain across the ovarian cycle has been poorly explored. Therefore, we assessed the levels of pregnenolone, progesterone, and its metabolites (i.e., dihydroprogesterone, allopregnanolone and isoallopregnanolone), dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone and its metabolites (i.e., dihydrotestosterone, 3α-diol and 17β-estradiol) across the rat ovarian cycle to determine whether their plasma fluctuations are similar to those occurring in the central (i.e., hippocampus and cerebral cortex) and peripheral (i.e., sciatic nerve) nervous system. Data obtained indicate that the plasma pattern of these molecules generally does not fully reflect the events occurring in the nervous system. In addition, for some neuroactive steroid levels, the pattern is not identical between the two brain regions and between the brain and peripheral nerves. Indeed, with the exception of progesterone, all other neuroactive steroids assessed here showed peculiar regional differences in their pattern of fluctuation in the nervous system during the estrous cycle. These observations may have important diagnostic and therapeutic consequences for neuropathological events influenced by the menstrual cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Cioffi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Silvia Diviccaro
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Gabriela Chrostek
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Donatella Caruso
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Luis Miguel Garcia-Segura
- Cajal Institute, CSIC, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002 Madrid, Spain and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid 28029, Spain
| | - Roberto Cosimo Melcangi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy.
| | - Silvia Giatti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences "Rodolfo Paoletti", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano 20133, Italy
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Yatoo MI, Bahader GA, Beigh SA, Khan AM, James AW, Asmi MR, Shah ZA. Neuroprotection or Sex Bias: A Protective Response to Traumatic Brain Injury in the Females. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2024; 23:906-916. [PMID: 37592792 DOI: 10.2174/1871527323666230817102125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major healthcare problem and a common cause of mortality and morbidity. Clinical and preclinical research suggests sex-related differences in short- and longterm outcomes following TBI; however, males have been the main focus of TBI research. Females show a protective response against TBI. Female animals in preclinical studies and women in clinical trials have shown comparatively better outcomes against mild, moderate, or severe TBI. This reflects a favorable protective nature of the females compared to the males, primarily attributed to various protective mechanisms that provide better prognosis and recovery in the females after TBI. Understanding the sex difference in the TBI pathophysiology and the underlying mechanisms remains an elusive goal. In this review, we provide insights into various mechanisms related to the anatomical, physiological, hormonal, enzymatic, inflammatory, oxidative, genetic, or mitochondrial basis that support the protective nature of females compared to males. Furthermore, we sought to outline the evidence of multiple biomarkers that are highly potential in the investigation of TBI's prognosis, pathophysiology, and treatment and which can serve as objective measures and novel targets for individualized therapeutic interventions in TBI treatment. Implementations from this review are important for the understanding of the effect of sex on TBI outcomes and possible mechanisms behind the favorable response in females. It also emphasizes the critical need to include females as a biological variable and in sufficient numbers in future TBI studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad I Yatoo
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar, 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Ghaith A Bahader
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Shafayat A Beigh
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar, 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Adil M Khan
- Division of Veterinary Clinical Complex, Sher-E-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar, 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India
| | - Antonisamy William James
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Maleha R Asmi
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Zahoor A Shah
- Department of Medicinal and Biological Chemistry, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
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Gore IR, Gould E. Developmental and adult stress: effects of steroids and neurosteroids. Stress 2024; 27:2317856. [PMID: 38563163 PMCID: PMC11046567 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2024.2317856] [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: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
In humans, exposure to early life adversity has profound implications for susceptibility to developing neuropsychiatric disorders later in life. Studies in rodents have shown that stress experienced during early postnatal life can have lasting effects on brain development. Glucocorticoids and sex steroids are produced in endocrine glands and the brain from cholesterol; these molecules bind to nuclear and membrane-associated steroid receptors. Unlike other steroids that can also be made in the brain, neurosteroids bind specifically to neurotransmitter receptors, not steroid receptors. The relationships among steroids, neurosteroids, and stress are multifaceted and not yet fully understood. However, studies demonstrating altered levels of progestogens, androgens, estrogens, glucocorticoids, and their neuroactive metabolites in both developmental and adult stress paradigms strongly suggest that these molecules may be important players in stress effects on brain circuits and behavior. In this review, we discuss the influence of developmental and adult stress on various components of the brain, including neurons, glia, and perineuronal nets, with a focus on sex steroids and neurosteroids. Gaining an enhanced understanding of how early adversity impacts the intricate systems of brain steroid and neurosteroid regulation could prove instrumental in identifying novel therapeutic targets for stress-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha R Gore
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Elizabeth Gould
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
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Verdoorn TA, Parry TJ, Pinna G, Lifshitz J. Neurosteroid Receptor Modulators for Treating Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:1603-1615. [PMID: 37653253 PMCID: PMC10684848 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01428-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) triggers wide-ranging pathology that impacts multiple biochemical and physiological systems, both inside and outside the brain. Functional recovery in patients is impeded by early onset brain edema, acute and chronic inflammation, delayed cell death, and neurovascular disruption. Drug treatments that target these deficits are under active development, but it seems likely that fully effective therapy may require interruption of the multiplicity of TBI-induced pathological processes either by a cocktail of drug treatments or a single pleiotropic drug. The complex and highly interconnected biochemical network embodied by the neurosteroid system offers multiple options for the research and development of pleiotropic drug treatments that may provide benefit for those who have suffered a TBI. This narrative review examines the neurosteroids and their signaling systems and proposes directions for their utility in the next stage of TBI drug research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd A Verdoorn
- NeuroTrauma Sciences, LLC, 2655 Northwinds Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA.
| | - Tom J Parry
- NeuroTrauma Sciences, LLC, 2655 Northwinds Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA
| | - Graziano Pinna
- Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, 1601 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Jonathan Lifshitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, 475 N. 5th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
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Luchetti S, Liere P, Pianos A, Verwer RWH, Sluiter A, Huitinga I, Schumacher M, Swaab DF, Mason MRJ. Disease stage-dependent changes in brain levels and neuroprotective effects of neuroactive steroids in Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2023:106169. [PMID: 37257664 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106169] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroactive steroids are known neuroprotective agents and neurotransmitter regulators. We previously found that expression of the enzymes synthesizing 5α-dihydroprogesterone (5α-DHP), allopregnanolone (ALLO), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) were reduced in the substantia nigra (SN) of Parkinson's Disease (PD) brain. Here, concentrations of a comprehensive panel of steroids were measured in human post-mortem brains of PD patients and controls. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to measure steroid levels in SN (involved in early symptoms) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) (involved later in the disease) of five control (CTR) and nine PD donors, divided into two groups: PD4 (PD-Braak stages 1-4) and PD6 (PD-Braak stages 5-6). In SN, ALLO was increased in PD4 compared to CTR and 5α-DHP and ALLO levels were diminished in PD6 compared to PD4. The ALLO metabolite 3α5α20α-hexahydroprogesterone (3α5α20α-HHP) was higher in PD4 compared to CTR. In PFC, 3α5α20α-HHP was higher in PD4 compared to both CTR and PD6. The effects of 5α-DHP, ALLO and DHEAS were tested on human post-mortem brain slices of patients and controls in culture. RNA expression of genes involved in neuroprotection, neuroinflammation and neurotransmission was analysed after 5 days of incubation with each steroid. In PD6 slices, both 5α-DHP and ALLO induced an increase of the glutamate reuptake effector GLAST1, while 5α-DHP also increased gene expression of the neuroprotective TGFB. In CTR slices, ALLO caused reduced expression of IGF1 and GLS, while DHEAS reduced the expression of p75 and the anti-apoptotic molecule APAF1. Together these data suggest that a potentially protective upregulation of ALLO occurs at early stages of PD, followed by a downregulation of progesterone metabolites at later stages that may exacerbate the pathological changes, especially in SN. Neuroprotective effects of neurosteroids are thus dependent on the neuropathological stage of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Luchetti
- Neuropsychiatric Disorders Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN), Meibergdreef 47, 1105, BA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Neuroimmunology Research Group, NIN, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Philippe Liere
- U1195 INSERM and University Paris Saclay, Le Kremlin Bicetre, 94276 Paris, France
| | - Antoine Pianos
- U1195 INSERM and University Paris Saclay, Le Kremlin Bicetre, 94276 Paris, France
| | - Ronald W H Verwer
- Neuropsychiatric Disorders Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN), Meibergdreef 47, 1105, BA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Arja Sluiter
- Neuropsychiatric Disorders Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN), Meibergdreef 47, 1105, BA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Inge Huitinga
- Neuroimmunology Research Group, NIN, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Michael Schumacher
- U1195 INSERM and University Paris Saclay, Le Kremlin Bicetre, 94276 Paris, France
| | - Dick F Swaab
- Neuropsychiatric Disorders Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN), Meibergdreef 47, 1105, BA, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Reddy V, Wurtz M, Patel SH, McCarthy M, Raval AP. Oral contraceptives and stroke: Foes or friends. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101016. [PMID: 35870646 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Incidents of strokes are increased in young women relative to young men, suggesting that oral contraceptive (OC) use is one of the causes of stroke among young women. Long-term exposures to the varying combinations of estrogen and progestogen found in OCs affect blood clotting, lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, endothelial function, and de novo synthesis of neurosteroids, especially brain-derived 17β-estradiol. The latter is essential for neuroprotection, memory, sexual differentiation, synaptic transmission, and behavior. Deleterious effects of OCs may be exacerbated due to comorbidities like polycystic ovary syndrome, sickle cell anemia, COVID-19, exposures to endocrine disrupting chemicals, and conventional or electronic cigarette smoking. The goal of the current review is to revisit the available literature regarding the impact of OC use on stroke, to explain possible underlying mechanisms, and to identify gaps in our understanding to promote future research to reduce and cure stroke in OC users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Reddy
- Peritz Scheinberg Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Laboratory, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami Florida 33136, USA; Department of Neurology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami Florida 33136, USA
| | - Megan Wurtz
- Peritz Scheinberg Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Laboratory, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami Florida 33136, USA; Department of Neurology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami Florida 33136, USA
| | - Shahil H Patel
- Peritz Scheinberg Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Laboratory, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami Florida 33136, USA; Department of Neurology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami Florida 33136, USA
| | - Micheline McCarthy
- Department of Neurology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami Florida 33136, USA
| | - Ami P Raval
- Peritz Scheinberg Cerebral Vascular Disease Research Laboratory, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami Florida 33136, USA; Department of Neurology, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami Florida 33136, USA; Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA.
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7
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Gray SL, Soma KK, Duncan KA. Steroid profiling in brain and plasma of adult zebra finches following traumatic brain injury. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13151. [PMID: 35608024 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious health concern and a leading cause of death. Emerging evidence strongly suggests that steroid hormones (estrogens, androgens, and progesterone) modulate TBI outcomes by regulating inflammation, oxidative stress, free radical production, and extracellular calcium levels. Despite this growing body of evidence on steroid-mediated neuroprotection, very little is known about the local synthesis of these steroids following injury. Here, we examine the effect of TBI on local neurosteroid levels around the site of injury and in plasma in adult male and female zebra finches. Using ultrasensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we examined estrogens, androgens, and progesterone in the entopallium and plasma of injured and uninjured animals. Three days after injury, elevated levels of 17β-estradiol (E2 ), estrone (E1 ), and testosterone (T) were detected near injured brain tissue with a corresponding increase in E2 also detected in plasma. Taken together, these results provide further evidence that TBI alters neurosteroid levels and are consistent with studies showing that neurosteroids provide neuroprotection following injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia L Gray
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kiran K Soma
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Kelli A Duncan
- Department of Biology, Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York, USA
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8
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Komoltsev IG, Gulyaeva NV. Brain Trauma, Glucocorticoids and Neuroinflammation: Dangerous Liaisons for the Hippocampus. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051139. [PMID: 35625876 PMCID: PMC9138485 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoid-dependent mechanisms of inflammation-mediated distant hippocampal damage are discussed with a focus on the consequences of traumatic brain injury. The effects of glucocorticoids on specific neuronal populations in the hippocampus depend on their concentration, duration of exposure and cell type. Previous stress and elevated level of glucocorticoids prior to pro-inflammatory impact, as well as long-term though moderate elevation of glucocorticoids, may inflate pro-inflammatory effects. Glucocorticoid-mediated long-lasting neuronal circuit changes in the hippocampus after brain trauma are involved in late post-traumatic pathology development, such as epilepsy, depression and cognitive impairment. Complex and diverse actions of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis on neuroinflammation may be essential for late post-traumatic pathology. These mechanisms are applicable to remote hippocampal damage occurring after other types of focal brain damage (stroke, epilepsy) or central nervous system diseases without obvious focal injury. Thus, the liaisons of excessive glucocorticoids/dysfunctional hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis with neuroinflammation, dangerous to the hippocampus, may be crucial to distant hippocampal damage in many brain diseases. Taking into account that the hippocampus controls both the cognitive functions and the emotional state, further research on potential links between glucocorticoid signaling and inflammatory processes in the brain and respective mechanisms is vital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilia G. Komoltsev
- Department of Functional Biochemistry of the Nervous System, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117465 Moscow, Russia;
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry, 115419 Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia V. Gulyaeva
- Department of Functional Biochemistry of the Nervous System, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117465 Moscow, Russia;
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry, 115419 Moscow, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-495-9524007 or +7-495-3347020
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9
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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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10
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Possible involvement of female sex steroid hormones in intracellular signal transduction mediated by cytokines following traumatic brain injury. Brain Res Bull 2021; 178:108-119. [PMID: 34838851 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of female sex hormones on the level of intracellular molecules of cytokine signaling pathway after diffuse traumatic brain injury (TBI) in ovariectomized rats. METHODS Female rats were divided into 10 groups: control, sham, TBI, Vehicle (oil), Vehicle E1 (33.3 µg/kg), E2 (1 mg / kg), P1 (1.7 mg/kg), P2 (8 mg / kg), E2 + P1. All drugs were injected 0.5 h after TBI. Brain edema and the brain levels of P-STAT-3, NFκB-P52, NFκB-P65, P-IκB, and SOCS-3 by immunohistochemistry measured at 24 h after TBI. RESULTS Increased brain edema after TBI was inhibited by different doses of estrogen, progesterone (P < 0.001), and E2 + P1 (P < 0.05). The brain levels of P-STAT-3, NFκB-P52, NFκB-P65, and p-IκBα that increased after TBI was decreased only by E2 (P < 0.05). E2 and E2 + P1 have increased the SOCS-3 level after TBI (P < 0.05). Also, there was a difference between the E2 with E1 and two progesterone doses (P < 0.05). So that in all cases, the effects of E2 were more significant than the other groups. The target cells for these effects of E2 were microglia and astrocytes. CONCLUSION The results indicate that one of the probable mechanism(s) of estrogen anti-inflammatory effect after TBI is either reduction of p-STAT-3, NFκB-P52, p-NFκB-P65, and p-IκBα or increase in SOCS-3 molecules involved in the signaling pathway of inflammatory cytokines.
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11
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Chandra PK, Cikic S, Baddoo MC, Rutkai I, Guidry JJ, Flemington EK, Katakam PV, Busija DW. Transcriptome analysis reveals sexual disparities in gene expression in rat brain microvessels. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2021; 41:2311-2328. [PMID: 33715494 PMCID: PMC8392780 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x21999553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sex is an important determinant of brain microvessels (MVs) function and susceptibility to cerebrovascular and neurological diseases, but underlying mechanisms are unclear. Using high throughput RNA sequencing analysis, we examined differentially expressed (DE) genes in brain MVs from young, male, and female rats. Bioinformatics analysis of the 23,786 identified genes indicates that 298 (1.2%) genes were DE using False Discovery Rate criteria (FDR; p < 0.05), of which 119 (40%) and 179 (60%) genes were abundantly expressed in male and female MVs, respectively. Nucleic acid binding, enzyme modulator, and transcription factor were the top three DE genes, which were more highly expressed in male than female MVs. Synthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI), biosynthesis of GPI-anchored proteins, steroid and cholesterol synthesis, were the top three significantly enriched canonical pathways in male MVs. In contrast, respiratory chain, ribosome, and 3 ́-UTR-mediated translational regulation were the top three enriched canonical pathways in female MVs. Different gene functions of MVs were validated by proteomic analysis and western blotting. Our novel findings reveal major sex disparities in gene expression and canonical pathways of MVs and these differences provide a foundation to study the underlying mechanisms and consequences of sex-dependent differences in cerebrovascular and other neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partha K Chandra
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Sinisa Cikic
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Melody C Baddoo
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Ibolya Rutkai
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Jessie J Guidry
- Tulane Brain Institute, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Erik K Flemington
- Tulane Cancer Center, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Prasad Vg Katakam
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - David W Busija
- Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.,Department of Pathology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Geddes RI, Kapoor A, Hayashi K, Rauh R, Wehber M, Bongers Q, Jansen AD, Anderson IM, Farquhar G, Vadakkadath‐Meethal S, Ziegler TE, Atwood CS. Hypogonadism induced by surgical stress and brain trauma is reversed by human chorionic gonadotropin in male rats: A potential therapy for surgical and TBI-induced hypogonadism? Endocrinol Diabetes Metab 2021; 4:e00239. [PMID: 34277964 PMCID: PMC8279618 DOI: 10.1002/edm2.239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is an almost universal, yet underappreciated, endocrinological complication of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The goal of this study was to determine whether the developmental hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment could reverse HH induced by a TBI. METHODS Plasma samples were collected at post-surgery/post-injury (PSD/PID) days -10, 1, 11, 19 and 29 from male Sprague-Dawley rats (5- to 6-month-old) that had undergone a Sham surgery (craniectomy alone) or CCI injury (craniectomy + bilateral moderate-to-severe CCI injury) and treatment with saline or hCG (400 IU/kg; i.m.) every other day. RESULTS Both Sham and CCI injury significantly decreased circulating testosterone (T), 11-deoxycorticosterone (11-DOC) and corticosterone concentrations to a similar extent (79.1% vs. 80.0%; 46.6% vs. 48.4%; 56.2% vs. 32.5%; respectively) by PSD/PID 1. hCG treatment returned circulating T to baseline concentrations by PSD/PID 1 (8.9 ± 1.5 ng/ml and 8.3 ± 1.9 ng/ml; respectively) and was maintained through PSD/PID 29. hCG treatment significantly, but transiently, increased circulating progesterone (P4) ~3-fold (30.2 ± 10.5 ng/ml and 24.2 ± 5.8 ng/ml) above that of baseline concentrations on PSD 1 and PID 1, respectively. hCG treatment did not reverse hypoadrenalism following either procedure. CONCLUSIONS Together, these data indicate that (1) craniectomy is sufficient to induce persistent hypogonadism and hypoadrenalism, (2) hCG can reverse hypogonadism induced by a craniectomy or craniectomy +CCI injury, suggesting that (3) craniectomy and CCI injury induce a persistent hypogonadism by decreasing hypothalamic and/or pituitary function rather than testicular function in male rats. The potential role of hCG as a cheap, safe and readily available treatment for reversing surgery or TBI-induced hypogonadism is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rastafa I. Geddes
- Division of Geriatrics and GerontologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWIUSA
| | - Amita Kapoor
- Assay Services Unit and Institute for Clinical and Translational Research Core LaboratoryNational Primate Research CenterUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWIUSA
| | - Kentaro Hayashi
- Division of Geriatrics and GerontologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWIUSA
| | - Ryan Rauh
- Division of Geriatrics and GerontologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWIUSA
| | - Marlyse Wehber
- Division of Geriatrics and GerontologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWIUSA
| | - Quinn Bongers
- Division of Geriatrics and GerontologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWIUSA
| | - Alex D. Jansen
- Division of Geriatrics and GerontologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWIUSA
| | - Icelle M. Anderson
- Division of Geriatrics and GerontologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWIUSA
| | - Gabrielle Farquhar
- Division of Geriatrics and GerontologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWIUSA
| | - Sivan Vadakkadath‐Meethal
- Division of Geriatrics and GerontologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWIUSA
| | - Toni E. Ziegler
- Assay Services Unit and Institute for Clinical and Translational Research Core LaboratoryNational Primate Research CenterUniversity of Wisconsin‐MadisonMadisonWIUSA
| | - Craig S. Atwood
- Division of Geriatrics and GerontologyDepartment of MedicineUniversity of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Medicine and Public HealthMadisonWIUSA
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical CenterVeterans Administration HospitalMadisonWIUSA
- School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health SciencesEdith Cowan UniversityJoondalupAustralia
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13
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Sulliman NC, Ghaddar B, Gence L, Patche J, Rastegar S, Meilhac O, Diotel N. HDL biodistribution and brain receptors in zebrafish, using HDLs as vectors for targeting endothelial cells and neural progenitors. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6439. [PMID: 33742021 PMCID: PMC7979862 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85183-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
High density lipoproteins (HDLs) display pleiotropic functions such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-protease, and anti-apoptotic properties. These effects are mediated by four main receptors: SCARB1 (SR-BI), ABCA1, ABCG1, and CD36. Recently, HDLs have emerged for their potential involvement in brain functions, considering their epidemiological links with cognition, depression, and brain plasticity. However, their role in the brain is not well understood. Given that the zebrafish is a well-recognized model for studying brain plasticity, metabolic disorders, and apolipoproteins, it could represent a good model for investigating the role of HDLs in brain homeostasis. By analyzing RNA sequencing data sets and performing in situ hybridization, we demonstrated the wide expression of scarb1, abca1a, abca1b, abcg1, and cd36 in the brain of adult zebrafish. Scarb1 gene expression was detected in neural stem cells (NSCs), suggesting a possible role of HDLs in NSC activity. Accordingly, intracerebroventricular injection of HDLs leads to their uptake by NSCs without modulating their proliferation. Next, we studied the biodistribution of HDLs in the zebrafish body. In homeostatic conditions, intraperitoneal injection of HDLs led to their accumulation in the liver, kidneys, and cerebral endothelial cells in zebrafish, similar to that observed in mice. After telencephalic injury, HDLs were diffused within the damaged parenchyma and were taken up by ventricular cells, including NSCs. However, they failed to modulate the recruitment of microglia cells at the injury site and the injury-induced proliferation of NSCs. In conclusion, our results clearly show a functional HDL uptake process involving several receptors that may impact brain homeostasis and suggest the use of HDLs as delivery vectors to target NSCs for drug delivery to boost their neurogenic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Cassam Sulliman
- Université de La Réunion, INSERM, UMR 1188, Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Saint-Denis de La Réunion, France
| | - Batoul Ghaddar
- Université de La Réunion, INSERM, UMR 1188, Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Saint-Denis de La Réunion, France
| | - Laura Gence
- Université de La Réunion, INSERM, UMR 1188, Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Saint-Denis de La Réunion, France
| | - Jessica Patche
- Université de La Réunion, INSERM, UMR 1188, Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Saint-Denis de La Réunion, France
| | - Sepand Rastegar
- Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems-Biological Information Processing (IBCS-BIP), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Postfach 3640, 76021, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Olivier Meilhac
- Université de La Réunion, INSERM, UMR 1188, Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Saint-Denis de La Réunion, France
- CHU de La Réunion, Saint-Denis de La Réunion, France
| | - Nicolas Diotel
- Université de La Réunion, INSERM, UMR 1188, Diabète Athérothrombose Thérapies Réunion Océan Indien (DéTROI), Saint-Denis de La Réunion, France.
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14
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Qrareya AN, Mahdi F, Kaufman MJ, Ashpole NM, Paris JJ. HIV-1 Tat promotes age-related cognitive, anxiety-like, and antinociceptive impairments in female mice that are moderated by aging and endocrine status. GeroScience 2021; 43:309-327. [PMID: 32940828 PMCID: PMC8050151 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-020-00268-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypogonadism is a common comorbidity associated with HIV-1 that is more prevalent among infected individuals over the age of 45. The underlying mechanisms are unknown, but both combined antiretroviral therapeutics and HIV-1 proteins, such as trans-activator of transcription protein (Tat), dysregulate steroid-synthetic mechanisms including lipid storage/synthesis and mitochondrial function. Thus, Tat expression may accelerate age-related comorbidities partly by impairing endocrine function. Few studies exist of Tat-mediated behavioral deficits in aged animals and effects of endocrine status have not been investigated. Accordingly, we tested whether conditional Tat expression in aged (~ 1.5 years old), female, Tat-transgenic [Tat(+)] mice increases anxiety-like behavior, impairs cognition, and augments mechanical allodynia, when compared to age-matched controls that do not express Tat protein [Tat(-)]. We further tested whether aged mice that maintained their endocrine status (pre-estropausal) were more resilient to Tat/age-related comorbidities than peri- or post-estropausal mice. Tat and endocrine aging status exerted separate and interacting effects that influenced anxiety-like and cognitive behaviors. Peri- and post-estropausal mice exhibited greater anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus-maze and impaired learning in the radial arm water maze compared to pre-estropausal mice. Irrespective of estropause status, Tat(+) mice demonstrated impaired learning, reduced grip strength, and mechanical allodynia compared to Tat(-) mice. Tat exposure reduced circulating estradiol in post-estropausal mice and increased the estradiol-to-testosterone ratio in pre-estropausal mice. Changes in circulating estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone correlated with grip strength. Thus, endocrine status is an important factor in age-related anxiety, cognition, neuromuscular function, and allodynia that can be accelerated by HIV-1 Tat protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa N Qrareya
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, 315 Faser Hall, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677-1848, USA
| | - Fakhri Mahdi
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, 315 Faser Hall, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677-1848, USA
| | - Marc J Kaufman
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Nicole M Ashpole
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, 315 Faser Hall, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677-1848, USA
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Jason J Paris
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, 315 Faser Hall, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677-1848, USA.
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA.
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15
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Sze Y, Brunton PJ. Effects of prenatal stress on neuroactive steroid responses to acute stress in adult male and female rats. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e12916. [PMID: 33270955 PMCID: PMC7900968 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Acute swim stress results in the robust production of several neuroactive steroids, which act as mediators of the stress response. These steroids include glucocorticoids, and positive GABAA receptor modulatory steroids such as allopregnanolone and tetrahydrocorticosterone (THDOC), which potentiate inhibitory GABA signalling, thereby playing a role in the negative control of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Prenatally stressed (PNS) offspring exhibit increased vulnerability to stress-related disorders and frequently display exaggerated HPA axis responses to stressors during adulthood, which may be a result of reduced neuroactive steroid production and consequently inhibitory signalling. Here, we investigated whether exposure of rats to prenatal social stress from gestational day 16-20 altered neuroactive steroid production under non-stress conditions and in response to an acute stressor (swim stress) in adulthood. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, nine neuroactive steroids were quantified (corticosterone, deoxycorticosterone [DOC], dihydrodeoxycorticosterone, THDOC, progesterone, dihydroprogesterone, allopregnanolone, pregnenolone, testosterone) in plasma and in five brain regions (frontal cortex, hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, brainstem) of male and female control and PNS rats. There was no difference in the neuroactive steroid profile between control and PNS rats under basal conditions. The increase in circulating corticosterone induced by acute swim stress was similar in control and PNS offspring. However, greater stress-induced corticosterone and DOC concentrations were observed in the brainstem of male PNS offspring, whereas DOC concentrations were lower in the hippocampus of PNS females compared to controls, following acute stress. Although PNS rats did not show deficits in allopregnanolone responses to acute stress, there were modest deficits in the production of THDOC in the brainstem, amygdala, and frontal cortex of PNS males and in the frontal cortex of PNS females. The data suggest that neuroactive steroid modulation of GABAergic signalling following stress exposure may be affected in a sex- and region-specific manner in PNS offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Sze
- Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- The Roslin InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Paula J. Brunton
- Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- The Roslin InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Zhejiang University‐University of Edinburgh Joint InstituteHainingChina
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16
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Elmi A, Galligioni V, Govoni N, Bertocchi M, Aniballi C, Bacci ML, Sánchez-Morgado JM, Ventrella D. Quantification of Hair Corticosterone, DHEA and Testosterone as a Potential Tool for Welfare Assessment in Male Laboratory Mice. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E2408. [PMID: 33339323 PMCID: PMC7766173 DOI: 10.3390/ani10122408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroids, providing information regarding several biological patterns including stress and sexual behavior, have been investigated in different matrices in laboratory mice. Data regarding hair quantification, indicative of longer timespans when compared to blood and saliva, are lacking. The aim of the work was to analyze the hormonal hair profile of laboratory male mice and to investigate potential relationships with age and housing, as a potential tool for welfare assessment. Fifty-six adult male C57BL/6J and C57BL/6OlaHsd substrain mice were included in the study, housed in pairs or groups. Testosterone (T) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were quantified by radioimmunoassay, corticosterone (CORT) by ELISA. Mean hormone levels were 6.42 pg/mg for T, 23.16 pg/mg for DHEA and 502.1 pg/mg for CORT. Age influenced all hormones by significantly increasing T and DHEA levels and decreasing CORT; only DHEA, significantly higher in grouped mice, was influenced by housing conditions. The influence of age indicates the need for accurate age-related reference intervals, while the higher levels of DHEA in grouped animals suggests that such housing practice may be beneficial for social interactions. In conclusion, it seems that hair hormones quantification may be a good tool for welfare assessment in laboratory mice and may help in refining husbandry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Elmi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (A.E.); (N.G.); (M.B.); (C.A.); (M.L.B.)
| | - Viola Galligioni
- Comparative Medicine Unit, Trinity College Dublin, D02 Dublin, Ireland; (V.G.); (J.M.S.-M.)
| | - Nadia Govoni
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (A.E.); (N.G.); (M.B.); (C.A.); (M.L.B.)
| | - Martina Bertocchi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (A.E.); (N.G.); (M.B.); (C.A.); (M.L.B.)
| | - Camilla Aniballi
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (A.E.); (N.G.); (M.B.); (C.A.); (M.L.B.)
| | - Maria Laura Bacci
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (A.E.); (N.G.); (M.B.); (C.A.); (M.L.B.)
| | | | - Domenico Ventrella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, BO, Italy; (A.E.); (N.G.); (M.B.); (C.A.); (M.L.B.)
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17
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Guennoun R. Progesterone in the Brain: Hormone, Neurosteroid and Neuroprotectant. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155271. [PMID: 32722286 PMCID: PMC7432434 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone has a broad spectrum of actions in the brain. Among these, the neuroprotective effects are well documented. Progesterone neural effects are mediated by multiple signaling pathways involving binding to specific receptors (intracellular progesterone receptors (PR); membrane-associated progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1); and membrane progesterone receptors (mPRs)) and local bioconversion to 3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (3α,5α-THPROG), which modulates GABAA receptors. This brief review aims to give an overview of the synthesis, metabolism, neuroprotective effects, and mechanism of action of progesterone in the rodent and human brain. First, we succinctly describe the biosynthetic pathways and the expression of enzymes and receptors of progesterone; as well as the changes observed after brain injuries and in neurological diseases. Then, we summarize current data on the differential fluctuations in brain levels of progesterone and its neuroactive metabolites according to sex, age, and neuropathological conditions. The third part is devoted to the neuroprotective effects of progesterone and 3α,5α-THPROG in different experimental models, with a focus on traumatic brain injury and stroke. Finally, we highlight the key role of the classical progesterone receptors (PR) in mediating the neuroprotective effects of progesterone after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachida Guennoun
- U 1195 Inserm and University Paris Saclay, University Paris Sud, 94276 Le kremlin Bicêtre, France
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18
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A protective effect of baicalin on cerebral ischemic rats is related to the improvement of serum progesterone level in serum. Neuroreport 2020; 30:1121-1128. [PMID: 31568208 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Baicalin, an ingredient drawn from Scutellaria amoena Georgi, plays a brain-protective role through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other pathways. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective mechanism of baicalin on middle cerebral artery occlusion rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups: sham, middle cerebral artery occlusion, middle cerebral artery occlusion + baicalin, middle cerebral artery occlusion + baicalin treated + inhibitor (bromocriptine, which inhibit progesterone induction). After 7 days treatment, neurological deficits and infarct volume were determined, morphological change of penumbra was examined by (hematoxylin-eosin) staining. The expressions of neuronal nuclei (NeuN), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and progesterone receptor were also assessed by immunofluorescent staining or immunohistochemistry, progesterone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone in serum were also determinated by ELISA. We found that baicalin could reduce the neurological deficits, infarct volume caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion, increase the expression of NeuN, GFAP, and progesterone receptor in ischemic penumbra and increase the expression of progesterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone level in serum. Those indicated that baicalin plays a protective role in cerebral ischemia rats by improvement of progesterone.
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Shah EJ, Gurdziel K, Ruden DM. Drosophila Exhibit Divergent Sex-Based Responses in Transcription and Motor Function After Traumatic Brain Injury. Front Neurol 2020; 11:511. [PMID: 32636795 PMCID: PMC7316956 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Every year, millions of people in the US suffer brain damage from mild to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that result from a sudden impact to the head. Despite TBI being a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, sex differences that contribute to varied outcomes post-injury are not extensively studied and therefore, poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to explore biological sex as a variable influencing response to TBI using Drosophila melanogaster as a model, since flies have been shown to exhibit symptoms commonly seen in other mammalian models of TBI. After inflicting TBI using the high-impact trauma device, we isolated w1118 fly brains and assessed gene transcription changes in male and female flies at control and 1, 2, and 4 hr after TBI. Our results suggest that overall, Drosophila females show more gene transcript changes than males. Females also exhibit upregulated expression changes in immune response and mitochondrial genes across all time-points. In addition, we looked at the impact of injury on mitochondrial health and motor function in both sexes before and after injury. Although both sexes report similar changes in mitochondrial oxidation and negative geotaxis, locomotor activity appears to be more impaired in males than females. These data suggest that sex-differences not only influence the response to TBI but also contribute to varied outcomes post-injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekta J Shah
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Katherine Gurdziel
- Office of the Vice President for Research, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Douglas M Ruden
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States.,Office of the Vice President for Research, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States.,Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
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20
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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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21
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Giatti S, Diviccaro S, Serafini MM, Caruso D, Garcia-Segura LM, Viviani B, Melcangi RC. Sex differences in steroid levels and steroidogenesis in the nervous system: Physiopathological role. Front Neuroendocrinol 2020; 56:100804. [PMID: 31689419 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2019.100804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The nervous system, in addition to be a target for steroid hormones, is the source of a variety of neuroactive steroids, which are synthesized and metabolized by neurons and glial cells. Recent evidence indicates that the expression of neurosteroidogenic proteins and enzymes and the levels of neuroactive steroids are different in the nervous system of males and females. We here summarized the state of the art of neuroactive steroids, particularly taking in consideration sex differences occurring in the synthesis and levels of these molecules. In addition, we discuss the consequences of sex differences in neurosteroidogenesis for the function of the nervous system under healthy and pathological conditions and the implications of neuroactive steroids and neurosteroidogenesis for the development of sex-specific therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Giatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Diviccaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Melania Maria Serafini
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Donatella Caruso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, 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
| | - Barbara Viviani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto C Melcangi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
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Progesterone Protects Prefrontal Cortex in Rat Model of Permanent Bilateral Common Carotid Occlusion via Progesterone Receptors and Akt/Erk/eNOS. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2019; 40:829-843. [PMID: 31865501 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-019-00777-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Sustained activation of pro-apoptotic signaling due to a sudden and prolonged disturbance of cerebral blood circulation governs the neurodegenerative processes in prefrontal cortex (PFC) of rats whose common carotid arteries are permanently occluded. The adequate neuroprotective therapy should minimize the activation of toxicity pathways and increase the activity of endogenous protective mechanisms. Several neuroprotectants have been proposed, including progesterone (P4). However, the underlying mechanism of its action in PFC following permanent bilateral occlusion of common carotid arteries is not completely investigated. We, thus herein, tested the impact of post-ischemic P4 treatment (1.7 mg/kg for seven consecutive days) on previously reported aberrant neuronal morphology and amount of DNA fragmentation, as well as the expression of progesterone receptors along with the key elements of Akt/Erk/eNOS signal transduction pathway (Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome C, caspase 3, PARP, and the level of nitric oxide). The obtained results indicate that potential amelioration of histological changes in PFC might be associated with the absence of activation of Bax/caspase 3 signaling cascade and the decline of DNA fragmentation. The study also provides the evidence that P4 treatment in repeated regiment of administration might be effective in neuronal protection against ischemic insult due to re-establishment of the compromised action of Akt/Erk/eNOS-mediated signaling pathway and the upregulation of progesterone receptors.
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23
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Sze Y, Brunton PJ. Sex, stress and steroids. Eur J Neurosci 2019; 52:2487-2515. [DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Sze
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
| | - Paula J. Brunton
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences University of Edinburgh Edinburgh UK
- Zhejiang University‐University of Edinburgh Joint Institute Haining Zhejiang China
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24
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Evolution of steroid concentrations in saliva from immature to pubertal gilts for the identification of biomarkers of gilts receptivity to boar effect. Livest Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2019.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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25
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Gupte R, Brooks W, Vukas R, Pierce J, Harris J. Sex Differences in Traumatic Brain Injury: What We Know and What We Should Know. J Neurotrauma 2019; 36:3063-3091. [PMID: 30794028 PMCID: PMC6818488 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2018.6171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 277] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is growing recognition of the problem of male bias in neuroscience research, including in the field of traumatic brain injury (TBI) where fewer women than men are recruited to clinical trials and male rodents have predominantly been used as an experimental injury model. Despite TBI being a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide, sex differences in pathophysiology and recovery are poorly understood, limiting clinical care and successful drug development. Given growing interest in sex as a biological variable affecting injury outcomes and treatment efficacy, there is a clear need to summarize sex differences in TBI. This scoping review presents an overview of current knowledge of sex differences in TBI and a comparison of human and animal studies. We found that overall, human studies report worse outcomes in women than men, whereas animal studies report better outcomes in females than males. However, closer examination shows that multiple factors including injury severity, sample size, and experimental injury model may differentially interact with sex to affect TBI outcomes. Additionally, we explore how sex differences in mitochondrial structure and function might contribute to possible sex differences in TBI outcomes. We propose recommendations for future investigations of sex differences in TBI, which we hope will lead to improved patient management, prognosis, and translation of therapies from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raeesa Gupte
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - William Brooks
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
- Hoglund Brain Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
- The University of Kansas Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Rachel Vukas
- School of Medicine, Dykes Library of Health Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Janet Pierce
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Janna Harris
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
- Hoglund Brain Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
- Address correspondence to: Janna Harris, PhD, Hoglund Brain Imaging Center, MS 1052, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160
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26
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Giatti S, Diviccaro S, Garcia-Segura LM, Melcangi RC. Sex differences in the brain expression of steroidogenic molecules under basal conditions and after gonadectomy. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12736. [PMID: 31102564 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The brain is a steroidogenic tissue. It expresses key molecules involved in the synthesis and metabolism of neuroactive steroids, such as steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO), cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3β-HSD), 5α-reductases (5α-R) and 3α-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductases (3α-HSOR). Previous studies have shown that the levels of brain steroids are different in male and female rats under basal conditions and after gonadectomy. In the present study, we assessed gene expression of key neurosteroidogenic molecules in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of gonadally intact and gonadectomised adult male and female rats. In the cerebellum, the basal mRNA levels of StAR and 3α-HSOR were significantly higher in females than in males. By contrast, the mRNA levels of TSPO and 5α-R were significantly higher in males. In the cerebral cortex, all neurosteroidogenic molecules analysed showed similar mRNA levels in males and females. Gonadectomy increased the expression of 5α-R in the brain of both sexes, although it affected the brain expression of StAR, TSPO, P450scc and 3α-HSOR in females only and with regional differences. Although protein levels were not investigated in the present study, our findings indicate that mRNA expression of steroidogenic molecules in the adult rat brain is sexually dimorphic and presents regional specificity, both under basal conditions and after gonadectomy. Thus, local steroidogenesis may contribute to the reported sex and regional differences in the levels of brain neuroactive steroids and may be involved in the generation of sex differences in the adult brain function.
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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
| | - Luis Miguel Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Cosimo Melcangi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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27
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Rubin TG, Lipton ML. Sex Differences in Animal Models of Traumatic Brain Injury. J Exp Neurosci 2019; 13:1179069519844020. [PMID: 31205421 PMCID: PMC6537488 DOI: 10.1177/1179069519844020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is highly prevalent and there is currently no adequate treatment. Understanding the underlying mechanisms governing TBI and recovery remains an elusive goal. The heterogeneous nature of injury and individual's response to injury have made understanding risk and susceptibility to TBI of great importance. Epidemiologic studies have provided evidence of sex-dependent differences following TBI. However, preclinical models of injury have largely focused on adult male animals. Here, we review 50 studies that have investigated TBI in both sexes using animal models. Results from these studies are highly variable and model dependent, but largely show females to have a protective advantage in behavioral outcomes and pathology following TBI. Further research of both sexes using newer models that better recapitulate mild and repetitive TBI is needed to characterize the nature of sex-dependent injury and recovery, and ultimately identifies targets for enhanced recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd G Rubin
- The Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY, USA.,Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Michael L Lipton
- The Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Rose F. Kennedy Center, Bronx, NY, USA.,Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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28
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Giatti S, Garcia-Segura LM, Barreto GE, Melcangi RC. Neuroactive steroids, neurosteroidogenesis and sex. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 176:1-17. [PMID: 29981391 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The nervous system is a target and a source of steroids. Neuroactive steroids are steroids that target neurons and glial cells. They include hormonal steroids originated in the peripheral glands, steroids locally synthesized by the neurons and glial cells (neurosteroids) and synthetic steroids, some of them used in clinical practice. Here we review the mechanisms of synthesis, metabolism and action of neuroactive steroids, including the role of epigenetic modifications and the mitochondria in their sex specific actions. We examine sex differences in neuroactive steroid levels under physiological conditions and their role in the establishment of sex dimorphic structures in the nervous system and sex differences in its function. In addition, particular attention is paid to neuroactive steroids under pathological conditions, analyzing how pathology alters their levels and their role as neuroprotective factors, considering the influence of sex in both cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Giatti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Luis M 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
| | - George E Barreto
- Departamento de Nutrición y Bioquímica, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
| | - Roberto C Melcangi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
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Kawarai Y, Tanaka H, Kobayashi T, Shozu M. Progesterone as a Postnatal Prophylactic Agent for Encephalopathy Caused by Prenatal Hypoxic Ischemic Insult. Endocrinology 2018; 159:2264-2274. [PMID: 29648595 PMCID: PMC5946846 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Brain damage caused by hypoxic ischemic insult during the perinatal period causes hypoxic ischemic encephalopathies (HIEs). Therapeutic hypothermia is indicated for HIE, but because the therapeutic burden is large for its limited therapeutic effectiveness, another strategy is needed. Progesterone (P4) plays a neuroprotective role through the actions of its metabolite, allopregnanolone (Allo), on P4 receptor, γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors or both. We examined the therapeutic potential of P4 using a newborn rat model of HIE. Fetal rats were exposed to transient ischemic hypoxia by 30-minute bilateral uterine artery clamping on gestational day 18. After spontaneous birth, newborn pups were subcutaneously injected with P4 (0.10 or 0.01 mg), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA; 0.12 mg), or Allo (0.10 mg) through postnatal days (PDs) 1 to 9. Brain damage in the rats was assessed using the rotarod test at PD50. The HIE insult reduced the rats' ability in the rotarod task, which was completely reversed by P4 and Allo, but not by MPA. Histological examination revealed that the HIE insult decreased neuronal (the cortex and the hippocampal CA1 region) and oligodendroglial cell density (the corpus callosum) through PD0 to PD50. The axon fiber density and myelin sheath thickness in the corpus callosum were also reduced at PD50. The time-course study revealed that P4 restored oligodendroglial cells by PD5, which was followed by neuroprotective action of P4 that lasted long over the injection period. These results suggest that P4 protects the neonatal brain from HIE insult via restoration of oligodendroglial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshimasa Kawarai
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Tanaka
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kobayashi
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Makio Shozu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Correspondence: Makio Shozu, MD, PhD, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Japan, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 260-8670, Japan. E-mail:
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30
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Munkboel CH, Larsen LW, Weisser JJ, Møbjerg Kristensen D, Styrishave B. Sertraline Suppresses Testis and Adrenal Steroid Production and Steroidogenic Gene Expression While Increasing LH in Plasma of Male Rats Resulting in Compensatory Hypogonadism. Toxicol Sci 2018; 163:609-619. [DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfy059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Cecilie Hurup Munkboel
- Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen OE, Denmark
| | - Lizette Weber Larsen
- Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen OE, Denmark
| | - Johan Juhl Weisser
- Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen OE, Denmark
| | - David Møbjerg Kristensen
- Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, 1165 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Inserm (Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale), Irset – Inserm UMR 1085, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Bjarne Styrishave
- Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen OE, Denmark
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31
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Wang Y, Tang L, Yin W, Chen J, Leng T, Zheng X, Zhu W, Zhang H, Qiu P, Yang X, Yan G, Hu H. Simultaneous Determination of Seven Neuroactive Steroids Associated with Depression in Rat Plasma and Brain by High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. ANAL SCI 2018; 32:981-8. [PMID: 27682404 DOI: 10.2116/analsci.32.981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Sensitive and specific biomarkers are required for the diagnosis and treatment of depression because the existing diagnostic criteria are subjective and could produce false positives or negatives. Some endogenous neuroactive steroids that have shown either antidepressant effects or concentration changes in individuals with depression could provide potential biomarkers. In this study, a simple and specific method was developed to simultaneously determine seven endogenous neuroactive steroids in biological samples: cortisone, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, estradiol, progesterone, pregnenolone, and testosterone. After liquid-liquid extraction, chromatographic separation was achieved on a C18 column with gradient elution using water-methanol at a flow rate of 300 μL min(-1). Detection and quantitation were performed by tandem mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and selected reaction monitoring. Plasma and brain neuroactive steroid levels were then determined in control rats and rats exposed to forced swimming, a classical rodent model of depression. The results showed that the plasma concentrations of testosterone, pregnenolone, and progesterone significantly increased in rats exposed to the forced swimming test. In contrast, brain homogenate levels of cortisol, estradiol, and progesterone decreased, while pregnenolone levels were elevated in this model of depression. In conclusion, a new method to quantify neuroactive steroids was successfully developed and applied to their investigation in rat plasma and brain. The findings of this study indicated that plasma testosterone, pregnenolone, and progesterone levels could provide potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youqiong Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University
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32
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Allen RS, Sayeed I, Oumarbaeva Y, Morrison KC, Choi PH, Pardue MT, Stein DG. Progesterone treatment shows greater protection in brain vs. retina in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion: Progesterone receptor levels may play an important role. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2018; 34:947-963. [PMID: 27802245 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-160672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE To determine whether inflammation increases in retina as it does in brain following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and whether the neurosteroid progesterone, shown to have protective effects in both retina and brain after MCAO, reduces inflammation in retina as well as brain. METHODS MCAO rats treated systemically with progesterone or vehicle were compared with shams. Protein levels of cytosolic NF-κB, nuclear NF-κB, phosphorylated NF-κB, IL-6, TNF-α, CD11b, progesterone receptor A and B, and pregnane X receptor were assessed in retinas and brains at 24 and 48 h using western blots. RESULTS Following MCAO, significant increases were observed in the following inflammatory markers: pNF-κB and CD11b at 24 h in both brain and retina, nuclear NF-κB at 24 h in brain and 48 h in retina, and TNF-α at 24 h in brain.Progesterone treatment in MCAO animals significantly attenuated levels of the following markers in brain: pNF-κB, nuclear NF-κB, IL-6, TNF-α, and CD11b, with significantly increased levels of cytosolic NF-κB. Retinas from progesterone-treated animals showed significantly reduced levels of nuclear NF-κB and IL-6 and increased levels of cytosolic NF-κB, with a trend for reduction in other markers. Post-MCAO, progesterone receptors A and B were upregulated in brain and downregulated in retina. CONCLUSION Inflammatory markers increased in both brain and retina after MCAO, with greater increases observed in brain. Progesterone treatment reduced inflammation, with more dramatic reductions observed in brain than retina. This differential effect may be due to differences in the response of progesterone receptors in brain and retina after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael S Allen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Iqbal Sayeed
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Yuliya Oumarbaeva
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Paul H Choi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Machelle T Pardue
- Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, USA
| | - Donald G Stein
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Hojo Y, Kawato S. Neurosteroids in Adult Hippocampus of Male and Female Rodents: Biosynthesis and Actions of Sex Steroids. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:183. [PMID: 29740398 PMCID: PMC5925962 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain is not only the target of steroid hormones but also is able to locally synthesize steroids de novo. Evidence of the local production of steroids in the brain has been accumulating in various vertebrates, including teleost fish, amphibia, birds, rodents, non-human primates, and humans. In this review, we mainly focus on the local production of sex steroids in the hippocampal neurons of adult rodents (rats and mice), a center for learning and memory. From the data of the hippocampus of adult male rats, hippocampal principal neurons [pyramidal cells in CA1-CA3 and granule cells in dentate gyrus (DG)] have a complete system for biosynthesis of sex steroids. Liquid chromatography with tandem-mass-spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) enabled us to accurately determine the levels of hippocampal sex steroids including 17β-estradiol (17β-E2), testosterone (T), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which are much higher than those in blood. Next, we review the steroid synthesis in the hippocampus of female rats, since previous knowledge had been biased toward the data from males. Recently, we clarified that the levels of hippocampal steroids fluctuate in adult female rats across the estrous cycle. Accurate determination of hippocampal steroids at each stage of the estrous cycle is of importance for providing the account for the fluctuation of female hippocampal functions, including spine density, long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), and learning and memory. These functional fluctuations in female had been attributed to the level of circulation-derived steroids. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that the dendritic spine density in CA1 of adult female hippocampus correlates with the levels of hippocampal progesterone and 17β-E2. Finally, we introduce the direct evidence of the role of hippocampus-synthesized steroids in hippocampal function including neurogenesis, LTP, and memory consolidation. Mild exercise (2 week of treadmill running) elevated synthesis of DHT in the hippocampus, but not in the testis, of male rats, resulting in enhancement of neurogenesis in DG. Concerning synaptic plasticity, hippocampus-synthesized E2 is required for LTP induction, whereas hippocampus-synthesized DHT is required for LTD induction. Furthermore, hippocampus-synthesized E2 is involved in memory consolidation tested by object recognition and object placement tasks, both of which are hippocampus-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Hojo
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Moroyama, Saitama, Japan
- *Correspondence: Yasushi Hojo,
| | - Suguru Kawato
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan
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34
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Hohl A, Zanela FA, Ghisi G, Ronsoni MF, Diaz AP, Schwarzbold ML, Dafre AL, Reddi B, Lin K, Pizzol FD, Walz R. Luteinizing Hormone and Testosterone Levels during Acute Phase of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: Prognostic Implications for Adult Male Patients. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:29. [PMID: 29487565 PMCID: PMC5816813 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a worldwide core public health problem affecting mostly young male subjects. An alarming increase in incidence has turned TBI into a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in young adults as well as a tremendous resource burden on the health and welfare sector. Hormone dysfunction is highly prevalent during the acute phase of severe TBI. In particular, investigation of the luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone levels during the acute phase of severe TBI in male has identified a high incidence of low testosterone levels in male patients (36.5-100%) but the prognostic significance of which remains controversial. Two independent studies showed that normal or elevated levels of LH levels earlier during hospitalization are significantly associated with higher mortality/morbidity. The association between LH levels and prognosis was independent of other predictive variables such as neuroimaging, admission Glasgow coma scale, and pupillary reaction. The possible mechanisms underlying this association and further research directions in this field are discussed. Overall, current data suggest that LH levels during the acute phase of TBI might contribute to accurate prognostication and further prospective multicentric studies are required to develop more sophisticated predictive models incorporating biomarkers such as LH in the quest for accurate outcome prediction following TBI. Moreover, the potential therapeutic benefits of modulating LH during the acute phase of TBI warrant investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Hohl
- Centro de Neurociências Aplicadas (CeNAp), Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
- Serviço de Endocrinologia e Metabologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Fernando Areas Zanela
- Centro de Neurociências Aplicadas (CeNAp), Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Ghisi
- Serviço de Endocrinologia e Metabologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Fernando Ronsoni
- Centro de Neurociências Aplicadas (CeNAp), Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
- Serviço de Endocrinologia e Metabologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Paim Diaz
- Centro de Neurociências Aplicadas (CeNAp), Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
- Serviço de Psiquiatria, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Liborio Schwarzbold
- Centro de Neurociências Aplicadas (CeNAp), Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
- Serviço de Psiquiatria, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Alcir Luiz Dafre
- Centro de Neurociências Aplicadas (CeNAp), Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Benjamin Reddi
- Intensive Care Unit, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Kátia Lin
- Centro de Neurociências Aplicadas (CeNAp), Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
- Serviço de Neurologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Felipe Dal Pizzol
- Centro de Neurociências Aplicadas (CeNAp), Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
- Laboratório de Fisiopatologia Experimental, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC), Criciúma, Brazil
| | - Roger Walz
- Centro de Neurociências Aplicadas (CeNAp), Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
- Serviço de Neurologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Hospital Universitário (HU), Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Roger Walz,
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Zhu X, Fréchou M, Liere P, Zhang S, Pianos A, Fernandez N, Denier C, Mattern C, Schumacher M, Guennoun R. A Role of Endogenous Progesterone in Stroke Cerebroprotection Revealed by the Neural-Specific Deletion of Its Intracellular Receptors. J Neurosci 2017; 37:10998-11020. [PMID: 28986464 PMCID: PMC6596486 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3874-16.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Treatment with progesterone protects the male and female brain against damage after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). However, in both sexes, the brain contains significant amounts of endogenous progesterone. It is not known whether endogenously produced progesterone enhances the resistance of the brain to ischemic insult. Here, we used steroid profiling by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) for exploring adaptive and sex-specific changes in brain levels of progesterone and its metabolites after MCAO. We show that, in the male mouse brain, progesterone is mainly metabolized via 5α-reduction leading to 5α-dihydroprogesterone (5α-DHP), also a progesterone receptor (PR) agonist ligand in neural cells, then to 3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (3α,5α-THP). In the female mouse brain, levels of 5α-DHP and 3α,5α-THP are lower and levels of 20α-DHP are higher than in males. After MCAO, levels of progesterone and 5α-DHP are upregulated rapidly to pregnancy-like levels in the male but not in the female brain. To assess whether endogenous progesterone and 5α-DHP contribute to the resistance of neural cells to ischemic damage, we inactivated PR selectively in the CNS. Deletion of PR in the brain reduced its resistance to MCAO, resulting in increased infarct volumes and neurological deficits in both sexes. Importantly, endogenous PR ligands continue to protect the brain of aging mice. These results uncover the unexpected importance of endogenous progesterone and its metabolites in cerebroprotection. They also reveal that the female reproductive hormone progesterone is an endogenous cerebroprotective neurosteroid in both sexes.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The brain responds to injury with protective signaling and has a remarkable capacity to protect itself. We show here that, in response to ischemic stroke, levels of progesterone and its neuroactive metabolite 5α-dihydroprogesterone are upregulated rapidly in the male mouse brain but not in the female brain. An important role of endogenous progesterone in cerebroprotection was demonstrated by the conditional inactivation of its receptor in neural cells. These results show the importance of endogenous progesterone, its metabolites, and neural progesterone receptors in acute cerebroprotection after stroke. This new concept could be exploited therapeutically by taking into account the progesterone status of patients and by supplementing and reinforcing endogenous progesterone signaling for attaining its full cerebroprotective potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Zhu
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Magalie Fréchou
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Philippe Liere
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Shaodong Zhang
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Antoine Pianos
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Neïké Fernandez
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Christian Denier
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Bicêtre Hospital, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France, and
| | | | - Michael Schumacher
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France,
| | - Rachida Guennoun
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France,
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Litim N, Morissette M, Caruso D, Melcangi RC, Di Paolo T. Effect of the 5α-reductase enzyme inhibitor dutasteride in the brain of intact and parkinsonian mice. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2017; 174:242-256. [PMID: 28982631 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2017.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Dutasteride is a 5alpha-reductase inhibitor in clinical use to treat endocrine conditions. The present study investigated the neuroprotective mechanisms of action of dutasteride in intact and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-lesioned mice using a low dose of MPTP not affecting motor activity modeling early stages of Parkinson's disease (PD). We hypothesized that dutasteride neuroprotection is due to altered steroids levels. Dutasteride pre-treatment prevented loss of striatal dopamine (DA) and its metabolite DOPAC. Dutasteride decreased effects of MPTP on striatal dopamine transporter (DAT), vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) and D2 DA receptor specific binding while D1 receptor specific binding remained unchanged. Dutasteride enhanced DAT specific binding and the glycosylated form of DAT in intact mice. MPTP-lesioned mice had plasma and brain testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels lower than control mice whereas progesterone and its metabolites (dihydroprogesterone, isopregnanolone and tetrahydroprogesterone) pathway showed increases. Dutasteride treatment by inhibiting transformation of progesterone and testosterone to its metabolites elevated plasma and brain concentrations of testosterone compared to MPTP mice and decreased DHT levels in intact mice. Plasma and brain estradiol levels were low and remained unchanged by MPTP and/or dutasteride treatment. Dutasteride treatment did not affect striatal phosphorylation of Akt and its downstream substrate GSK3β as well as phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in intact and MPTP lesioned MPTP mice. Striatal glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels were markedly elevated in MPTP compared to control mice and dutasteride reduced GFAP levels in MPTP mice. Treatment with dutasteride post-lesion left unchanged striatal DA levels. These results suggest dutasteride as promising drug for PD neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadhir Litim
- Neuroscience Research Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL, Quebec City, Canada; Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Marc Morissette
- Neuroscience Research Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL, Quebec City, Canada
| | - Donatella Caruso
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto C Melcangi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Thérèse Di Paolo
- Neuroscience Research Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, CHUL, Quebec City, Canada; Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada.
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Differential effects of the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO) ligand etifoxine on steroidogenesis in rat brain, plasma and steroidogenic glands: Pharmacodynamic studies. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 83:122-134. [PMID: 28609670 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2017] [Revised: 05/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Etifoxine is indicated in humans for treating anxiety. In rodents, besides its anxiolytic-like properties, it has recently shown neuroprotective and neuroregenerative activities. It acts by enhancing GABAA receptor function and by stimulating acute steroid biosynthesis via the activation of the 18-kDa translocator protein. However, the regulatory action of etifoxine on steroid production is not well characterized. In this work, we performed dose-response, acute and chronic time-course experiments on the effects of intraperitoneal injections of etifoxine on steroid levels in adult male rat brain and plasma analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Concentrations of pregnenolone, progesterone and its 5α-reduced metabolites were significantly increased in both tissues in response to 25 and 50mg/kg of etifoxine, as compared with vehicle controls, and reached maximal values at 0.5-1h post-injection. Daily injections of etifoxine (50mg/kg, 15days) kept them increased at day 15. Comparisons between steroidogenic tissues revealed that 1h after 50mg/kg of etifoxine treatment, levels of pregnenolone, progesterone and corticosterone were highest in adrenal glands and markedly increased together with their reduced metabolites. They were also increased by etifoxine in brain and plasma, but not in testis except for corticosterone and its metabolites. In contrast, testosterone level was significantly decreased in testis while with its 5α-reduced metabolites, it was unchanged in brain. Results demonstrate that the modulation of steroid concentrations by etifoxine is dependent on the type of steroid and on the steroidogenic organ. They further suggest that adrenal steroids upregulated by etifoxine make an important contribution to the steroids present in brain. This work provides a precise and complete view of steroids regulated by etifoxine that could be useful in therapeutic research.
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Clossen BL, Reddy DS. Novel therapeutic approaches for disease-modification of epileptogenesis for curing epilepsy. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1863:1519-1538. [PMID: 28179120 PMCID: PMC5474195 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This article describes the recent advances in epileptogenesis and novel therapeutic approaches for the prevention of epilepsy, with a special emphasis on the pharmacological basis of disease-modification of epileptogenesis for curing epilepsy. Here we assess animal studies and human clinical trials of epilepsy spanning 1982-2016. Epilepsy arises from a number of neuronal factors that trigger epileptogenesis, which is the process by which a brain shifts from a normal physiologic state to an epileptic condition. The events precipitating these changes can be of diverse origin, including traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular damage, infections, chemical neurotoxicity, and emergency seizure conditions such as status epilepticus. Expectedly, the molecular and system mechanisms responsible for epileptogenesis are not well defined or understood. To date, there is no approved therapy for the prevention of epilepsy. Epigenetic dysregulation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration appear to trigger epileptogenesis. Targeted drugs are being identified that can truly prevent the development of epilepsy in at-risk people. The promising agents include rapamycin, COX-2 inhibitors, TRK inhibitors, epigenetic modulators, JAK-STAT inhibitors, and neurosteroids. Recent evidence suggests that neurosteroids may play a role in modulating epileptogenesis. A number of promising drugs are under investigation for the prevention or modification of epileptogenesis to halt the development of epilepsy. Some drugs in development appear rational for preventing epilepsy because they target the initial trigger or related signaling pathways as the brain becomes progressively more prone to seizures. Additional research into the target validity and clinical investigation is essential to make new frontiers in curing epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan L Clossen
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA
| | - Doodipala Samba Reddy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX 77807, USA.
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Kumar N, Fagart J, Liere P, Mitchell SJ, Knibb AR, Petit-Topin I, Rame M, El-Etr M, Schumacher M, Lambert JJ, Rafestin-Oblin ME, Sitruk-Ware R. Nestorone® as a Novel Progestin for Nonoral Contraception: Structure-Activity Relationships and Brain Metabolism Studies. Endocrinology 2017; 158:170-182. [PMID: 27824503 PMCID: PMC5412978 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Nestorone® (NES) is a potent nonandrogenic progestin being developed for contraception. NES is a synthetic progestin that may possess neuroprotective and myelin regenerative potential as added health benefits. In receptor transactivation experiments, NES displayed greater potency than progesterone to transactivate the human progesterone receptor (PR). This was confirmed by docking experiments where NES adopts the same docking position within the PR ligand-binding domain (LBD) as progesterone and forms additional stabilizing contacts between 17α-acetoxy and 16-methylene groups and PR LBD, supporting its higher potency than progesterone. The analog 13-ethyl NES also establishes similar contacts as NES with Met909, leading to comparable potency as NES. In contrast, NES is not stabilized within the human androgen receptor LBD, leading to negligible androgen receptor transactivation. Because progesterone acts in the brain by both PR binding and indirectly via binding of the metabolite allopregnanolone to γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAAR), we investigated if NES is metabolized to 3α, 5α-tetrahydronestorone (3α, 5α-THNES) in the brain and if this metabolite could interact with GABAAR. In female mice, low concentrations of reduced NES metabolites were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in both plasma and brain. Electrophysiological studies showed that 3α, 5α-THNES exhibited only limited activity to enhance GABAAR-evoked responses with WSS-1 cells and did not modulate synaptic GABAARs of mouse cortical neurons. Thus, the inability of reduced metabolite of NES (3α, 5α-THNES) to activate GABAAR suggests that the neuroprotective and myelin regenerative effects of NES are mediated via PR binding and not via its interaction with the GABAAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narender Kumar
- Population Council, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, New York 10065
| | | | - Philippe Liere
- U1195 INSERM, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin Bicêtre 94276, France; and
| | - Scott J. Mitchell
- Division of Neuroscience, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee University, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Alanah R. Knibb
- Division of Neuroscience, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee University, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | | | - Marion Rame
- U1195 INSERM, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin Bicêtre 94276, France; and
| | - Martine El-Etr
- U1195 INSERM, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin Bicêtre 94276, France; and
| | - Michael Schumacher
- U1195 INSERM, University Paris Sud, Le Kremlin Bicêtre 94276, France; and
| | - Jeremy J. Lambert
- Division of Neuroscience, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee University, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | | | - Regine Sitruk-Ware
- Population Council, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, New York 10065
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Van Horn JD, Bhattrai A, Irimia A. Multimodal Imaging of Neurometabolic Pathology due to Traumatic Brain Injury. Trends Neurosci 2016; 40:39-59. [PMID: 27939821 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2016.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) involves a combination of complex biochemical processes beginning with the initial insult and lasting for days, months and even years post-trauma. These changes range from neuronal integrity losses to neurotransmitter imbalance and metabolite dysregulation, leading to the release of pro- or anti-apoptotic factors which mediate cell survival or death. Such dynamic processes affecting the brain's neurochemistry can be monitored using a variety of neuroimaging techniques, whose combined use can be particularly useful for understanding patient-specific clinical trajectories. Here, we describe how TBI changes the metabolism of essential neurochemical compounds, summarize how neuroimaging approaches facilitate the study of such alterations, and highlight promising ways in which neuroimaging can be used to investigate post-TBI changes in neurometabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Darrell Van Horn
- USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, 2025 Zonal Avenue, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.
| | - Avnish Bhattrai
- USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, 2025 Zonal Avenue, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
| | - Andrei Irimia
- USC Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, 2025 Zonal Avenue, Keck School of Medicine of USC, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA
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41
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Gonzalez Deniselle MC, Liere P, Pianos A, Meyer M, Aprahamian F, Cambourg A, Di Giorgio NP, Schumacher M, De Nicola AF, Guennoun R. Steroid Profiling in Male Wobbler Mouse, a Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Endocrinology 2016; 157:4446-4460. [PMID: 27571131 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Wobbler mouse is an animal model for human motoneuron diseases, especially amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), used in the investigation of both pathology and therapeutic treatment. ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease, characterized by the selective and progressive death of motoneurons, leading to progressive paralysis. Previous limited studies have reported steroidal hormone dysregulation in Wobbler mouse and in ALS patients, suggesting endocrine dysfunctions which may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. In this study, we established a steroid profiling in brain, spinal cord, plasma, adrenal glands, and testes in 2-month-old male Wobbler mice and their littermates by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Our results show in Wobbler mice the following: 1) a marked up-regulation of corticosterone levels in adrenal glands, plasma, spinal cord regions (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) and brain; 2) a strong decrease in T levels in the testis, plasma, spinal cord, and brain; and 3) increased levels of progesterone and especially of its reduced metabolites 5α-dihydroprogesterone, allopregnanolone, and 20α-dihydroprogesterone in the brain, spinal cord, and adrenal glands. Furthermore, Wobbler mice showed a hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hypoactivity. Interestingly, plasma concentrations of corticosterone and T correlate well with their respective levels in cervical spinal cord in both control and Wobbler mice. T down-regulation is probably the consequence of adrenal hyperactivity, and the up-regulation of progesterone and its reduced metabolites may correspond to an endogenous protective mechanism in response to motoneuron degeneration. Our findings suggest that increased levels of corticosterone and decreased levels of T in plasma could be a signature of motoneuron degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Claudia Gonzalez Deniselle
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Philippe Liere
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Antoine Pianos
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Meyer
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Fanny Aprahamian
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Annie Cambourg
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Noelia P Di Giorgio
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Michael Schumacher
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro F De Nicola
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rachida Guennoun
- Unité 1195 INSERM and University Paris-Sud and University Paris Saclay (P.L., A.P., F.A., A.C., M.S., R.G.), 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Biochemistry (M.C.G.-D., M.M., A.F.D.N.) and Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology (N.P.D.G.), Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas (M.C.G.-D.), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, 1121 Buenos Aires, Argentina
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42
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Zhang H, Ma L, Yin YL, Dong LQ, Cheng GG, Ma YQ, Li YF, Xu BN. Over-expression of TSPO in the hippocampal CA1 area alleviates cognitive dysfunction caused by lipopolysaccharide in mice. Brain Res 2016; 1646:402-409. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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43
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Arbo BD, Benetti F, Ribeiro MF. Astrocytes as a target for neuroprotection: Modulation by progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone. Prog Neurobiol 2016; 144:27-47. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Servatius RJ, Marx CE, Sinha S, Avcu P, Kilts JD, Naylor JC, Pang KCH. Brain and Serum Androsterone Is Elevated in Response to Stress in Rats with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:379. [PMID: 27616978 PMCID: PMC4999428 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to lateral fluid percussion (LFP) injury consistent with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) persistently attenuates acoustic startle responses (ASRs) in rats. Here, we examined whether the experience of head trauma affects stress reactivity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were matched for ASRs and randomly assigned to receive mTBI through LFP or experience a sham surgery (SHAM). ASRs were measured post injury days (PIDs) 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28. To assess neurosteroids, rats received a single 2.0 mA, 0.5 s foot shock on PID 34 (S34), PID 35 (S35), on both days (2S), or the experimental context (CON). Levels of the neurosteroids pregnenolone (PREG), allopregnanolone (ALLO), and androsterone (ANDRO) were determined for the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. For 2S rats, repeated blood samples were obtained at 15, 30, and 60 min post-stressor for determination of corticosterone (CORT) levels after stress or context on PID 34. Similar to earlier work, ASRs were severely attenuated in mTBI rats without remission for 28 days after injury. No differences were observed between mTBI and SHAM rats in basal CORT, peak CORT levels or its recovery. In serum and brain, ANDRO levels were the most stress-sensitive. Stress-induced ANDRO elevations were greater than those in mTBI rats. As a positive allosteric modulator of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptors, increased brain ANDRO levels are expected to be anxiolytic. The impact of brain ANDRO elevations in the aftermath of mTBI on coping warrants further elaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Servatius
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Syracuse Veterans Affairs Medical CenterSyracuse, NY, USA; Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences, Stress and Motivated Behavior Institute, Rutgers UniversityNewark, NJ, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers UniversityNewark, NJ, USA
| | - Christine E Marx
- Veterans Affairs Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research Education and Clinical Center, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical CenterDurham, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of MedicineDurham, NC, USA
| | - Swamini Sinha
- Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences, Stress and Motivated Behavior Institute, Rutgers UniversityNewark, NJ, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers UniversityNewark, NJ, USA
| | - Pelin Avcu
- Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences, Stress and Motivated Behavior Institute, Rutgers UniversityNewark, NJ, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers UniversityNewark, NJ, USA
| | - Jason D Kilts
- Veterans Affairs Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research Education and Clinical Center, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical CenterDurham, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of MedicineDurham, NC, USA
| | - Jennifer C Naylor
- Veterans Affairs Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness, Research Education and Clinical Center, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical CenterDurham, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of MedicineDurham, NC, USA
| | - Kevin C H Pang
- Rutgers Biomedical Health Sciences, Stress and Motivated Behavior Institute, Rutgers UniversityNewark, NJ, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers UniversityNewark, NJ, USA; Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Health Care SystemEast Orange, NJ, USA
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Levels and actions of neuroactive steroids in the nervous system under physiological and pathological conditions: Sex-specific features. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 67:25-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Schumacher M, Denier C, Oudinet JP, Adams D, Guennoun R. Progesterone neuroprotection: The background of clinical trial failure. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 160:53-66. [PMID: 26598278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2015] [Revised: 11/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Since the first pioneering studies in the 1990s, a large number of experimental animal studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective efficacy of progesterone for brain disorders, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). In addition, this steroid has major assets: it easily crosses the blood-brain-barrier, rapidly diffuses throughout the brain and exerts multiple beneficial effects by acting on many molecular and cellular targets. Moreover, progesterone therapies are well tolerated. Notably, increased brain levels of progesterone are part of endogenous neuroprotective responses to injury. The hormone thus emerged as a particularly promising protective candidate for TBI and stroke patients. The positive outcomes of small Phase 2 trials aimed at testing the safety and potential protective efficacy of progesterone in TBI patients then provided support and guidance for two large, multicenter, randomized and placebo-controlled Phase 3 trials, with more than 2000 TBI patients enrolled. The negative outcomes of both trials, named ProTECT III and SyNAPSE, came as a big disappointment. If these trials were successful, progesterone would have become the first efficient neuroprotective drug for brain-injured patients. Thus, progesterone has joined the numerous neuroprotective candidates that have failed in clinical trials. The aim of this review is a reappraisal of the preclinical animal studies, which provided the proof of concept for the clinical trials, and we critically examine the design of the clinical studies. We made efforts to present a balanced view of the strengths and limitations of the translational studies and of some serious issues with the clinical trials. We place particular emphasis on the translational value of animal studies and the relevance of TBI biomarkers. The probability of failure of ProTECT III and SyNAPSE was very high, and we present them within the broader context of other unsuccessful trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schumacher
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
| | - Christian Denier
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Department of Neurology, CHU Bicêtre, 78 rue du Général Leclerc, 94275 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Jean-Paul Oudinet
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - David Adams
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Department of Neurology, CHU Bicêtre, 78 rue du Général Leclerc, 94275 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Rachida Guennoun
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud and University Paris-Saclay, 80 rue du Général Leclerc, 94276 Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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TSPO ligand PK11195 alleviates neuroinflammation and beta-amyloid generation induced by systemic LPS administration. Brain Res Bull 2016; 121:192-200. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Schumacher M, Guennoun R, Mattern C, Oudinet JP, Labombarda F, De Nicola AF, Liere P. Analytical challenges for measuring steroid responses to stress, neurodegeneration and injury in the central nervous system. Steroids 2015; 103:42-57. [PMID: 26301525 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2015.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Revised: 08/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Levels of steroids in the adult central nervous system (CNS) show marked changes in response to stress, degenerative disorders and injury. However, their analysis in complex matrices such as fatty brain and spinal cord tissues, and even in plasma, requires accurate and precise analytical methods. Radioimmunoassays (RIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, even with prepurification steps, do not provide sufficient specificity, and they are at the origin of many inconsistent results in the literature. The analysis of steroids by mass spectrometric methods has become the gold standard for accurate and sensitive steroid analysis. However, these technologies involve multiple purification steps prone to errors, and they only provide accurate reference values when combined with careful sample workup. In addition, the interpretation of changes in CNS steroid levels is not an easy task because of their multiple sources: the endocrine glands and the local synthesis by neural cells. In the CNS, decreased steroid levels may reflect alterations of their biosynthesis, as observed in the case of chronic stress, post-traumatic stress disorders or depressive episodes. In such cases, return to normalization by administering exogenous hormones or by stimulating their endogenous production may have beneficial effects. On the other hand, increases in CNS steroids in response to acute stress, degenerative processes or injury may be part of endogenous protective or rescue programs, contributing to the resistance of neural cells to stress and insults. The aim of this review is to encourage a more critical reading of the literature reporting steroid measures, and to draw attention to the absolute need for well-validated methods. We discuss reported findings concerning changing steroid levels in the nervous system by insisting on methodological issues. An important message is that even recent mass spectrometric methods have their limits, and they only become reliable tools if combined with careful sample preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Florencia Labombarda
- Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental and University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandro F De Nicola
- Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental and University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Philippe Liere
- U1195 Inserm and University Paris-Sud, Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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49
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Traish AM, Melcangi RC, Bortolato M, Garcia-Segura LM, Zitzmann M. Adverse effects of 5α-reductase inhibitors: What do we know, don't know, and need to know? Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2015; 16:177-98. [PMID: 26296373 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-015-9319-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Steroids are important physiological orchestrators of endocrine as well as peripheral and central nervous system functions. One of the key processes for regulation of these molecules lies in their enzymatic processing by a family of 5α-reductase (5α-Rs) isozymes. By catalyzing a key rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis, this family of enzymes exerts a crucial role not only in the physiological control but also in pathological events. Indeed, both 5α-R inhibition and supplementation of 5α-reduced metabolites are currently used or have been proposed as therapeutic strategies for a wide array of pathological conditions. In particular, the potent 5α-R inhibitors finasteride and dutasteride are used in the treatments of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), as well as in male pattern hair loss (MPHL) known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Recent preclinical and clinical findings indicate that 5α-R inhibitors evoke not only beneficial, but also adverse effects. Future studies should investigate the biochemical and physiological mechanisms that underlie the persistence of the adverse sexual side effects to determine why a subset of patients is afflicted with such persistence or irreversible adverse effects. Also a better focus of clinical research is urgently needed to better define those subjects who are likely to be adversely affected by such agents. Furthermore, research on the non-sexual adverse effects such as diabetes, psychosis, depression, and cognitive function are needed to better understand the broad spectrum of the effects these drugs may elicit during their use in treatment of AGA or BPH. In this review, we will summarize the state of art on this topic, overview the key unresolved questions that have emerged on the pharmacological targeting of these enzymes and their products, and highlight the need for further studies to ascertain the severity and duration of the adverse effects of 5α-R inhibitors, as well as their biological underpinnings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulmaged M Traish
- Department of Biochemistry and Department of Urology, Boston University School of Medicine, 715 Albany Street, A502, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
| | - Roberto Cosimo Melcangi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Iniversità degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | | | - Michael Zitzmann
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Clinics Muenster, Domagkstrasse 11, D-48149, Muenster, Germany
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Giatti S, Garcia-Segura LM, Melcangi RC. New steps forward in the neuroactive steroid field. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2015; 153:127-34. [PMID: 25797031 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Revised: 03/07/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Evidence accumulated in recent years suggests that the systemic treatment with neuroactive steroids, or the pharmacological modulation of its production by brain cells, represent therapeutic options to promote neuroprotection. However, new findings, which are reviewed in this paper, suggest that the factors to be considered for the design of possible therapies based on neuroactive steroids are more complex than previously thought. Thus, although as recently reported, the nervous system regulates neuroactive steroid synthesis and metabolism in adaptation to modifications in peripheral steroidogenesis, the neuroactive steroid levels in the brain do not fully reflect its levels in plasma. Even, in some cases, neuroactive steroid level modifications occurring in the nervous tissues, under physiological and pathological conditions, are in the opposite direction than in the periphery. This suggests that the systemic treatment with these molecules may have unexpected outcomes on neural steroid levels. In addition, the multiple metabolic pathways and signaling mechanisms of neuroactive steroids, which may change from one brain region to another, together with the existence of regional and sex differences in its neural levels are additional sources of complexity that should be clarified. This complexity in the levels and actions of these molecules may explain why in some cases these molecules have detrimental rather than beneficial actions for the nervous system. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Steroid Perspectives'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Giatti
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Cosimo Melcangi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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