Elsevier

Brain Research

Volume 696, Issues 1–2, 23 October 1995, Pages 113-120
Brain Research

The neurosteroid 3α,5α-THP has antiseizure and possible neuroprotective effects in an animal model of epilepsy

https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-8993(95)00793-PGet rights and content
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Abstract

Some anticonvulsant drugs may suppress seizures by enhancing activity of GABAergic systems. Progesterone (P)'s anti-convulsant and neuroprotective effects may be due to the steroid's actions on GABAA-benzodiazepine receptor complexes (GBRs) rather than intracellular progestin receptors (PRs), as many P metabolites have a greater effect in vitro on benzodiazepine binding and Cl flux than P, but poor affinity for PRs. If P's actions are due to metabolism to a progestin more potent at GBRs, then systemic administration of one of those P metabolites should also prevent CNS damage. To test this hypothesis male rats were implanted with a bipolar electrode, aimed above the perforant pathway. Experimental animals received the 5α-reduced P metabolite most effective at GBRs, 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (3α,5α-THP) 2.5 mg/kg s.c., 3 h prior to perforant pathway stimulation, while control animals received sesame oil vehicle. The duration of chewing and drooling, and the incidence of wet dog shakes, partial and full seizures were reduced during perforant pathway stimulation in animals pre-treated with 3α,5α-THP compared to vehicle. Two weeks later, animals pre-treated with 3α,5α-THP had shorter latencies and distances to find a hidden platform in a Morris Water maze task. 3α,5α-THP pre-treatment also reduced damage to CA1 and CA3 layers of the hippocampus and preserved the number of neurons in the hilar region. These data indicate that the neurosteroid metabolite of P, 3α,5α-THP, can have anticonvulsant and may have neuroprotective effects in an animal model of epilepsy. Further. these data suggest that the mechanism of P's protective and anticonvulsant effects may be via GBRs rather than PRs.

Keywords

Extra-genomic
γ-Aminobutyric acid
Steroid hormone
Membrane
Hippocampus
Perforant pathway
Progesterone

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