Journal of neuroendocrinology
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J. Neuroendocrinol. · Jul 2011
Developmental changes in the sexually dimorphic expression of secretory carrier membrane protein 1 and its co-localisation with androgen receptor protein in the zebra finch song system.
The song system of zebra finches differs dramatically between the sexes in terms of both structure and function. Only males sing and the brain regions regulating the learning and production of this behaviour are far more developed in males than females. Mechanisms regulating sexual differentiation likely include both direct genetic and hormonal processes. ⋯ Almost all SCAMP1 cells co-expressed AR and approximately half of the AR cells expressed SCAMP1 in the HVC and robust nucleus in the arcopallium (RA) of both sexes and in the Area X of males (which could not be clearly defined in females). In HVC and RA, more single and double-labelled cells were detected in males than females overall, and the sex differences increased as animals matured. The results suggest the potential for interaction of these two proteins in regulating development of brain and/or behaviour.
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J. Neuroendocrinol. · Jul 2011
Palmitoylethanolamide stimulation induces allopregnanolone synthesis in C6 Cells and primary astrocytes: involvement of peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor-α.
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) regulates many pathophysiological processes in the central nervous system, including pain perception, convulsions and neurotoxicity, and increasing evidence points to its neuroprotective action. In the present study, we report that PEA, acting as a ligand of peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-α, might regulate neurosteroidogenesis in astrocytes, which, similar to other glial cells and neurones, have the enzymatic machinery for neurosteroid de novo synthesis. Accordingly, we used the C6 glioma cell line and primary murine astrocytes. ⋯ Moreover, PEA showed a protective effect, reducing malondialdehyde formation in cells treated with l-buthionine-(S,R)-sulfoximine, a glutathione depletor and, interestingly, the effect of PEA was partially inhibited by finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor. A similar profile of activity was demonstrated by ALLO and the lack of an additive effect with PEA suggests that the reduction of oxidative stress by PEA is mediated through ALLO synthesis. The present study provides evidence indicating the involvement of the saturated acylethanolamide PEA in ALLO synthesis through PPAR-α in astrocytes and explores the antioxidative activity of this molecule, confirming its homeostatic and protective role both under physiological and pathological conditions.