The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology
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J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. · Jan 2016
Glucocorticoid receptor is involved in the neuroprotective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 against inflammation-induced dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in substantia nigra.
Accumulating clinical and experimental evidence suggests that chronic neuroinflammation is associated with dopaminergic neuronal death in Parkinson's disease (PD). Ginsenoside Rg1, the most active components of ginseng, possesses a variety of biological effects on the central nervous system, cardiovascular system and immune system. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglia activation and dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in rat substantia nigra (SN) and its potential mechanisms. ⋯ These effect could be also partly blocked by RU486. Taken together, these data indicate that Rg1 has protective effects on mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons from LPS-induced microglia inflammation. GR signaling pathway might be involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of Rg1.
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J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. · Sep 2015
ReviewMechanisms of drug resistance that target the androgen axis in castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
Castrate resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is the fatal-form of prostate cancer and remains androgen dependent. The reactivation of the androgen axis occurs due to adaptive intratumoral androgen biosynthesis which can be driven by adrenal androgens and/or by changes in the androgen receptor (AR) including AR gene amplification. ⋯ Clinical experience indicates that with either agent an initial response is followed by drug resistance and the patient clinically progresses on these agents. This article reviews the mechanisms of intrinsic and acquired drug resistance that target the androgen axis and how this might be surmounted.
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J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. · Jun 2015
Combined effects of androgen anabolic steroids and physical activity on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
Analysing effects of pharmaceutical substances and training on feedback mechanisms of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis may be helpful to quantify the benefit of strategies preventing loss of muscle mass, and in the fight against doping. In this study we analysed combined effects of anabolic steroids and training on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Therefore intact male Wistar rats were dose-dependently treated with metandienone, estradienedione and the selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) S-1. ⋯ LH was not affected. In abusing body builders a significantly decrease of LH, TSH and inhibin B and an increase of prolactin, IGF-1 and T4 was detected. In clean body builders only T4 and TSH were affected.
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J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. · May 2015
Validated LC-MS/MS simultaneous assay of five sex steroid/neurosteroid-related sulfates in human serum.
Conventionally, the concentration of steroidal sulfates was estimated by indirect or immuno‑based assays before the use of liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In the present study, a validated LC-MS/MS method is described for the simultaneous quantification of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), estrone sulfate (E1‑S), androsterone sulfate (ADT‑S), pregnenolone sulfate (Preg‑S) and allopregnanolone sulfate (Allopreg‑S). E1‑S binding to serum proteins was observed, especially for the high concentration quality control serum samples, leading to -10 to -15% bias using a polymer-based SPE. ⋯ Recovery of the five compounds in stripped serum is equivalent to that in unstripped serum. The average recovery difference is less than 5% between stripped and unstripped serum for each compound. All results of other test parameters such as matrix, hemolysis and lipemic effects as well as stabilities meet the acceptance criteria of EndoCeutics SOPs and FDA guidelines.
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J. Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. · Apr 2015
Reprint of "Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women impairs regulatory T cell function".
Regulatory T cells and IgE receptors (CD23 and CD21) on B cells were assessed in vitamin D deficient pregnant women. For this, 153 pregnant women were recruited from a government hospital and were categorized into three groups based on 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) status. Regulatory T cell population (Treg cells) and CD23/CD21 expression on B cells were quantified by FACS ARIA II in maternal blood at third trimester; and the same parameters were evaluated in cord blood soon after delivery. ⋯ In contrast, CD23, CD21 and VDBP expressions were upregulated in 25(OH)D3 deficient and insufficient women. Vitamin D regulating enzymes (CYP24A1, CYP2R1 and CYP27B1) expression were also altered in women with 25(OH)D3 deficiency. The current study shows that impaired maternal 25(OH)D3 during pregnancy influences the spectrum of immune cells such as regulatory T cells and B cells with IgE receptors and this in turn may be linked to allergy and asthma in neonates.