The levels of the neuroactive steroids allopregnanolone (THP) and 5α-dihydroprogesterone (DHP) were quantified in the plasma of 11 (group 1) and in the liquor of 12 (group 2) Parkinson's disease (PD) patients using a gas-chromatographic/mass-spectrometric method. When compared with controls, both groups showed a significant decrease in DHP and THP concentrations. These decreases could be a useful marker of PD. Moreover, in view of the importance of GABA-ergic transmission to substantia nigra (SN) neurons and GABA-ergic modulation exerted by the two neuroactive steroids, our data indicate a global dysregulation of the SN GABA-ergic system in PD patients. Moreover, a lack of neuroprotective factors (i.e., GDNF, BDNF), promoted by DHP, may contribute to dopaminergic cell death.
di Michele, F., Longone, P., Romeo, E., Lucchetti, S., Brusa, L., Pierantozzi, M., et al. (2003). Decreased plasma and cerebrospinal fluid content of neuroactive steroids in Parkinson's disease. In Neurological Sciences (pp.172-173) [10.1007/s10072-003-0115-1].
Decreased plasma and cerebrospinal fluid content of neuroactive steroids in Parkinson's disease
PIERANTOZZI, MARIANGELA;BERNARDI, GIORGIO;STANZIONE, PAOLO
2003-01-01
Abstract
The levels of the neuroactive steroids allopregnanolone (THP) and 5α-dihydroprogesterone (DHP) were quantified in the plasma of 11 (group 1) and in the liquor of 12 (group 2) Parkinson's disease (PD) patients using a gas-chromatographic/mass-spectrometric method. When compared with controls, both groups showed a significant decrease in DHP and THP concentrations. These decreases could be a useful marker of PD. Moreover, in view of the importance of GABA-ergic transmission to substantia nigra (SN) neurons and GABA-ergic modulation exerted by the two neuroactive steroids, our data indicate a global dysregulation of the SN GABA-ergic system in PD patients. Moreover, a lack of neuroprotective factors (i.e., GDNF, BDNF), promoted by DHP, may contribute to dopaminergic cell death.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
