Rapamycin blocks the neuroprotective effects of sex steroids in the adult birdsong system

In adult songbirds, the telencephalic song nucleus HVC and its efferent target RA undergo pronounced seasonal changes in morphology. In breeding birds, there are increases in HVC volume and total neuron number, and RA neuronal soma area compared to nonbreeding birds. At the end of breeding, HVC neurons die through caspase‐dependent apoptosis and thus, RA neuron size decreases. Changes in HVC and RA are driven by seasonal changes in circulating testosterone (T) levels. Infusing T, or its metabolites 5α‐dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 17 β‐estradiol (E2), intracerebrally into HVC (but not RA) protects HVC neurons from death, and RA neuron size, in nonbreeding birds. The phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)‐Akt (a serine/threonine kinase)‐mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is a point of convergence for neuroprotective effects of sex steroids and other trophic factors. We asked if mTOR activation is necessary for the protective effect of hormones in HVC and RA of adult male Gambel's white‐crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii). We transferred sparrows from breeding to nonbreeding hormonal and photoperiod conditions to induce regression of HVC neurons by cell death and decrease of RA neuron size. We infused either DHT + E2, DHT + E2 plus the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin, or vehicle alone in HVC. Infusion of DHT + E2 protected both HVC and RA neurons. Coinfusion of rapamycin with DHT + E2, however, blocked the protective effect of hormones on HVC volume and neuron number, and RA neuron size. These results suggest that activation of mTOR is an essential downstream step in the neuroprotective cascade initiated by sex steroid hormones in the forebrain.     

GPRC6A mediates the non-genomic effects of steroids

The identity of the putative G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that mediates the non-genomic effects of androgens is unknown. We present in vitro and in vivo evidence that the orphan GPRC6A receptor, a widely expressed calcium and amino acid sensing GPCR, transduces the non-genomic effects of testosterone and other steroids. Overexpression of GPRC6A imparts the ability of extracellular testosterone to illicit a rapid, non-genomic signaling response in HEK-293 cells lacking the androgen receptor. Conversely, testosterone-stimulated rapid signaling and phosphorylation of ERK is attenuated in bone marrow stromal cells derived from GPRC6A(-/-) mice and in 22Rv1 prostate cancer cells after siRNA-mediated knockdown of GPRC6A. Compared with wild-type controls, GPRC6A(-/-) null mice exhibit significantly less ERK activation and Egr-1 expression in both bone marrow and testis in response to pharmacological doses of testosterone in vivo. In addition, testosterone administration results in suppression of luteinizing hormone in wild-type male mice, but paradoxically stimulates serum luteinizing hormone levels in GPRC6A(-/-) null mice. These results suggest that GPRC6A is functionally important in regulating non-genomic effects of androgens in multiple tissues.     

Estrogens: mechanisms of neuroprotective effects

Within the last few years, there has been a growing interest in the neuroprotective effects of estrogen and the possible beneficial effects of estrogen in neurodegenerative diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. The concept of neuroprotective effects of estrogen in women remains controversial because these effects may vary with the timing of treatment. Research increasingly suggests that changes in estrogen levels during aging may increase risk for Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia. This update reviews the newest information about estrogen and cognitive aging, including information regarding the role of bioavailable estrogen in older women and men.     

A neuroprotective role for gap junctions

Glial-neuronal interactions have been implicated in both normal information processing and neuroprotection. One pathway of cellular interactions involves gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). In astrocytes, gap junctions are composed primarily of the channel protein, connexin43 (Cx43), and provide a substrate for formation of a functional syncytium implicated in the process of spatial buffering in the CNS. Thus gap junctional communication may be neuroprotective following a CNS insult that entails glutamate cytotoxicity (i.e. ischemia). We have shown that blocking gap junctions during a glutamate insult to co-cultures of astrocytes and neurons results in increased neuronal injury. To assess the effect of reduced Cx43 and GJIC on neuroprotection, we examined brain infarct volume in wild type and Cx43 heterozygote null mice following focal ischemia. Cx43 heterozygous null mice exhibited a significantly larger infarct volume compared to wild type. At the cellular level, a significant increase in TUNEL positive cells was observed in the penumbral region of the Cx43 heterozygote mice. These results suggest that augmentation of GJIC in astrocytes may contribute to neuroprotection following ischemic injury. These findings support the hypothesis that gap junctions play a neuroprotective role against glutamate cytotoxicity.     

Emerging mechanisms of the behavioral effects of steroids

Within two models of steroid-modulated behavior, sodium appetite and sexual receptivity, novel mechanisms of steroid action have emerged. These include interactions between different types of steroid receptors, plasticity of synapses, activation of unliganded steroid receptors, and rapid effects of steroids. These mechanisms highlight the diversity of steroid action in the central nervous system.     

Evaluation of neuroprotective and anti-fatigue effects of sildenafil

Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor is widely used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Recently, the FDA approved the use of sildenafil in the therapeutic treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Sildenafil crosses the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to enhance memory. Tremor, rigidity and akinesia are the most common symptoms seen in Parkinson's disease. Fatigue and sexual dysfunction are the other prominent features seen in Parkinson's disease. Interestingly, sildenafil is used therapeutically to treat sexual dysfunction in Parkinson's disease patients. Currently research on Parkinson's disease focuses on developing novel drug therapies for retarding the nigral dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Hence, we investigated the anti-fatigue and neuroprotective effects of sildenafil. In this study, the effect of sildenafil on fatigue was evaluated using forced swim test in mice. Sildenafil had no effect on fatigue as seen by the swim time. With regard to neuroprotective effects, we investigated the effects of sildenafil using two animal models of Parkinson's disease. In this study, 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned (unilateral) rats and MPTP-treated mice were used as the animal models of Parkinson's disease. 6-Hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats were used to determine the effect of sildenafil on rotational behavior. Ipsilateral or contralateral rotational behavior can indicate the amphetamine-like activity or apomorphine-like activity of sildenafil. Sildenafil did not induce contralateral or ipsilateral rotations in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats. Sildenafil did not protect against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced dopamine depletion in the striatum.     

Antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of synthesized sintenin derivatives

Three series of sintenin derivatives (compounds 1–14) were designed and prepared and their antioxidative and neuroprotective effects were evaluated. The in vitro models of scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, chelating ferrous ions, inhibiting the rat brain homogenates lipid peroxidation, and protecting neurons damaged by hydrogen peroxide were employed for bioassays. It was found that sintenin derivatives 4 and 13 showed remarkable antioxidative and neuroprotective activities.     

Synthesis and neuroprotective effects of serofendic acid analogues

Analogues of serofendic acid were prepared and their protective effects against L-glutamate (Glu)-induced neurotoxicity were examined using primary cultures of rat cortical neurons. Some analogues exhibited similar neuroprotective activity to that of serofendic acid.     

Antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of synthesized sintenin derivatives

Three series of sintenin derivatives (compounds 1-14) were designed and prepared and their antioxidative and neuroprotective effects were evaluated. The in vitro models of scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, chelating ferrous ions, inhibiting the rat brain homogenates lipid peroxidation, and protecting neurons damaged by hydrogen peroxide were employed for bioassays. It was found that sintenin derivatives 4 and 13 showed remarkable antioxidative and neuroprotective activities.     

A neuroprotective role for the DNA damage checkpoint in tauopathy

ATM and p53, effectors of the DNA damage checkpoint, are generally considered pro-apoptotic in neurons. We show that DNA damage and checkpoint activation occurs in postmitotic neurons in animal models of tauopathy, neurodegenerative disorders that include Alzheimer's disease. Surprisingly, checkpoint attenuation potently increases neurodegeneration through aberrant cell cycle re-entry of postmitotic neurons. These data suggest an unexpected neuroprotective role for the DNA damage checkpoint in tauopathies.     

Mutagenic activity of oxathiolane steroids: structural requirement for the genotoxic activity in Salmonella and E. coli.

Oxathiolanes and disulfonyl derivatives of steroids were tested for mutagenic activity in the Ames tester strains. The test compounds exhibited mutagenic activity without metabolic activation although metabolic activation markedly enhanced their activity. A significant decrease in the survival of the radiation-sensitive mutants recA, lexA and rer of E. coli was observed as compared to their wild-type counterpart in the presence of the test steroid. Structural features which appear to be crucial for the mutagenic activity in these steroidal drugs are: (i) an electron-donating group at position 3, and (ii) a bulky group anchored at the 5th and 6th positions. The test steroids appear to damage DNA which in turn initiates the SOS repair with the concomitant induction of mutation.     

Regulatory effects of 5 beta-reduced steroids

The first section of this publication summarizes early work according to which 5 beta-pregnanedione is an important metabolite of progesterone in the early stages of the chick embryo's adrenal steroidogenesis, then decreasing gradually as corticosteroidogenesis increases. In the second section a model is described in which adrenal 3 beta-ol hydroxylase-isomerase of the 17-day-old chicken is suppressed pharmacologically, this suppression being correlated with that of the synthesis of aminoevulinic acid (ALA), the first and rate-limiting step of the heme pathway. 5 beta-Pregnanedione (10(-7)-10(-6) M) restored ALA synthesis in this inhibited model to normal values. The effect of 5 beta-pregnanedione was specific since other steroids tested: progesterone; 5 alpha-pregnanedione; corticosterone or estradiol, did not stimulate ALA. Since heme formation by steroidogenic glands contributes to the synthesis of cytochrome P450 rather than hemoglobin, 5 beta-pregnanedione was also assayed as a stimulator of this enzyme system and was found to increase cytochrome P450 in adrenals and testes but not in the liver. In view of these results a hypothesis is advanced according to which 5 beta-reduced progestagens and androgens stimulate cytochrome P450 formation, i.e. the synthesis of progesterone and higher hydroxylated steroids, by steroidogenic glands in the event of an excessive precursor reduction.