Steroid metabolism and effects in central and peripheral glial cells

Journal of NeurobiologyVolume 40, Issue 4 p. 471-483 Steroid metabolism and effects in central and peripheral glial cells Roberto C. Melcangi, Corresponding Author Roberto C. Melcangi Department of Endocrinology, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, Milan 20133, ItalyDepartment of Endocrinology, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, Milan 20133, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorValerio Magnaghi, Valerio Magnaghi Department of Endocrinology, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, Milan 20133, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorLuciano Martini, Luciano Martini Department of Endocrinology, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, Milan 20133, ItalySearch for more papers by this author Roberto C. Melcangi, Corresponding Author Roberto C. Melcangi Department of Endocrinology, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, Milan 20133, ItalyDepartment of Endocrinology, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, Milan 20133, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorValerio Magnaghi, Valerio Magnaghi Department of Endocrinology, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, Milan 20133, ItalySearch for more papers by this authorLuciano Martini, Luciano Martini Department of Endocrinology, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, Milan 20133, ItalySearch for more papers by this author First published: 19 August 1999 https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1097-4695(19990915)40:4<471::AID-NEU5>3.0.CO;2-PCitations: 60AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Abstract Hormonal steroids participate in the control of a large number of functions of the central nervous system (CNS); recent data show that they may also intervene at the level of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). Both the CNS and the PNS metabolize endogenous as well as exogenous steroids; one of the major enzymatic system is represented by the 5α-reductase-3α–hydroxysteroid complex. This is a versatile system, since every steroid possessing the delta 4-3keto configuration (e.g., testosterone, progesterone, deoxycorticosterone) may be a substrate. High levels of 5α-reductase are found in the white matter of the CNS and in purified myelin. The observation that, in addition to neurons, glia may be a target for steroid action is an important recent finding. The effects of progesterone, testosterone, corticoids, and their respective 5α and 3α-5α derivatives on the expression of glial genes are presented and discussed. It has also been found that progesterone and/or its 5α-reduced metabolites increase the mRNA for the two major proteins of peripheral myelin, the glycoprotein Po and the peripheral myelin protein 22, in the sciatic nerve of normal and aged animals and in Schwann cells. The hypothesis has been put forward that glycoprotein Po might be under the control of progestagens acting mainly via the progesterone receptor, and that peripheral myelin protein 22 might be controlled via an interaction of steroids with the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system. It is known that tetrahydroprogesterone, the 3α-5α–reduced metabolite of progesterone, interacts with the GABAA receptor. Our recent data show that several subunits of this receptor are present in sciatic nerve as well as in Schwann cells that reside in this nerve. These data open multiple possibilities for new therapeutic approaches to demyelinating diseases. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 40: 471–483, 1999 Citing Literature Volume40, Issue4Special Issue: Glia and Steroids15 September 1999Pages 471-483 RelatedInformation