3 research outputs found
Neuroactive steroids and peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy, either inherited or acquired, represents a very common disorder for
which effective clinical treatments are not available yet. Observations here summarized
indicate that neuroactive steroids, such as progesterone, testosterone and their reduced
metabolites, might represent a promising therapeutic option. Peripheral nerves are able to
synthesize and metabolize neuroactive steroids and are a target for these molecules, since
they express classical and non-classical steroid receptors. Neuroactive steroids modulate
the expression of key transcription factors for Schwann cell function, regulate Schwann cell
proliferation and promote the expression of myelin proteins involved in the maintenance of
myelin multilamellar structure, such as myelin protein zero and peripheral myelin protein
22. These actions may result in the protection and regeneration of peripheral nerves affected
by different forms of pathological alterations. Indeed, neuroactive steroids are able to
counteract biochemical, morphological and functional alterations of peripheral nerves in
different experimental models of neuropathy, including the alterations caused by aging,
diabetic neuropathy and physical injury. Therefore, neuroactive steroids, pharmacological
agents able to increase their local synthesis and synthetic ligands for their receptors have a
promising potential for the treatment of different forms of peripheral neuropathy
Neuroactive steroids and peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy, either inherited or acquired, represents a very common disorder for which effective clinical treatments are not available yet. Observations here summarized indicate that neuroactive steroids, such as progesterone, testosterone and their reduced metabolites, might represent a promising therapeutic option. Peripheral nerves are able to synthesize and metabolize neuroactive steroids and are a target for these molecules, since they express classical and non-classical steroid receptors. Neuroactive steroids modulate the expression of key transcription factors for Schwann cell function, regulate Schwann cell proliferation and promote the expression of myelin proteins involved in the maintenance of myelin multilamellar structure, such as myelin protein zero and peripheral myelin protein 22. These actions may result in the protection and regeneration of peripheral nerves affected by different forms of pathological alterations. Indeed, neuroactive steroids are able to counteract biochemical, morphological and functional alterations of peripheral nerves in different experimental models of neuropathy, including the alterations caused by aging, diabetic neuropathy and physical injury. Therefore, neuroactive steroids, pharmacological agents able to increase their local synthesis and synthetic ligands for their receptors have a promising potential for the treatment of different forms of peripheral neuropathy. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Peer Reviewe