The Effect of Androsterone as the Metabolite of Testosterone to Seizure Suppression.
- Author:
Won Joo KIM
1
;
Soo Yeon LEE
;
Kyung Joo CHO
;
Byung In LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. bilee@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Androsterone;
GABA;
Seizure;
Neuroactive steroid
- MeSH:
Androsterone;
Animals;
Carbolines;
Epilepsy;
GABA Antagonists;
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid;
Kainic Acid;
Mice;
N-Methylaspartate;
Receptors, Glutamate;
Seizures;
Testosterone
- From:Journal of the Korean Neurological Association
2009;27(2):142-146
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Androsterone is one of the major metabolites from testosterone whose clinical importance remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of androsterone on seizure susceptibility in mouse models of epilepsy. METHODS: The efficacy of androsterone (10~200 mg/kg, i.p.) against seizures induced by various GABA receptor antagonists and glutamate receptor agonists was evaluated. RESULTS: Androsterone protected mice against seizures induced by PTZ (pentylenetetrazol), PCX (picrotoxin), and DMCM (methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate) in a dose-dependent manner. Androsterone did not protect against seizures induced by kainic acid, NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartic acid), or 4-AP (4-aminopyridine) in mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that androsterone exhibits anticonvulsant activity that occurs largely via nongenomic mechanisms. Testosterone-derived androsterone might be an endogenous protective neuroactive steroid in the brain.
