In this study we have assessed the effect of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5alphaandrostan-3alpha, 17beta-diol (3alpha-diol) therapies on diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes was induced in adult male rats by the injection of streptozotocin and resulted in decreased T and increased 3alpha-diol levels in plasma and in decreased levels of pregnenolone and DHT in the sciatic nerve. Moreover, a reduced expression of the enzyme converting Tinto DHT (i.e., the 5alpha-reductase) also occurs at the level of sciatic nerve, suggesting that the decrease of DHT levels could be due to an impairment of this enzyme. Chronic treatment for 1 month with DHT or 3alpha-diol increased tail nerve conduction velocity and partially counteracted the increase of thermal threshold induced by diabetes. Treatment with DHT increased tibial Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity and the expression of myelin protein P0 in the sciatic nerve.DHT, 3alpha-diol and T reversed the reduction of intra-epidermal nerve fiber density induced by diabetes. These observations indicate that T metabolites can reverse behavioral, neurophysiological, morphological and biochemical alterations induced by peripheral diabetic neuropathy.
Roglio, I., Bianchi, R., Giatti, S., Cavaletti, G., Caruso, D., Scurati, S., et al. (2007). Testosterone derivatives are neuroprotective agents in experimental diabetic neuropathy. CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES, 64(9), 1158-1168 [10.1007/s00018-007-7002-5].
Testosterone derivatives are neuroprotective agents in experimental diabetic neuropathy
CAVALETTI, GUIDO ANGELO;
2007
Abstract
In this study we have assessed the effect of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5alphaandrostan-3alpha, 17beta-diol (3alpha-diol) therapies on diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes was induced in adult male rats by the injection of streptozotocin and resulted in decreased T and increased 3alpha-diol levels in plasma and in decreased levels of pregnenolone and DHT in the sciatic nerve. Moreover, a reduced expression of the enzyme converting Tinto DHT (i.e., the 5alpha-reductase) also occurs at the level of sciatic nerve, suggesting that the decrease of DHT levels could be due to an impairment of this enzyme. Chronic treatment for 1 month with DHT or 3alpha-diol increased tail nerve conduction velocity and partially counteracted the increase of thermal threshold induced by diabetes. Treatment with DHT increased tibial Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity and the expression of myelin protein P0 in the sciatic nerve.DHT, 3alpha-diol and T reversed the reduction of intra-epidermal nerve fiber density induced by diabetes. These observations indicate that T metabolites can reverse behavioral, neurophysiological, morphological and biochemical alterations induced by peripheral diabetic neuropathy.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.