Circulating levels of anticonvulsant metabolites of progesterone in women with partial epilepsy in the intercritical phase.
The 3alpha-hydroxy metabolites of progesterone (P), 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (allopregnanolone, A-PREG) and 3alpha-hydroxy-5beta-pregnan-20-one (pregnanolone, PREG), have been found to be among the most potent ligands of gamma-aminobutyric (GABA)-A receptors; in experimental animals, they have been found to have anxiolytic, hypnotic and anticonvulsant effects. Similar to those of the benzodiazepines and barbiturates that interact with GABA-A receptors. The present study was undertaken to determine plasma A-PREG and PREG concentrations in the luteal phase in women with partial epilepsy, in order to determine if an impaired metabolism of P occurs in this convulsive disorder. We measured plasma P, A-PREG and PREG levels in 15 women with partial epilepsy in the intercritical phase, and in 15 age-matched healthy women, during the luteal phase of the ovarian cycle (22nd-24th day). The mean plasma +/- S.E. A-PREG levels (three blood samples) were 0.7 +/- 0.6 ng/ml in the epileptic women and 0.5 +/- 0.2 ng/ml in controls, with no significant difference between the two groups (p = NS); the PREG levels were also similar (1.4 +/- 1 ng/ml and 1 +/- 1.1 ng/ml, respectively: p = NS). A significant correlation was found between P levels and both A-PREG and PREG levels (r = 0.72, p < 0.001 and r = 0.79, p < 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of serum adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, dihydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, luteinizing hormone or estradiol levels.
Istituto di Clinica Neurologica, Università di Pisa.
R
R
Galli
S
S
Michelini
L
L
Bartalena
R
R
Massetani
L
L
Pani
L
L
Grasso
G B
GB
Cassano
E
E
Martino
R H
RH
Purdy
L
L
Murri
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000097:blood*; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011280:Pregnanolone / Q000097:blood; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D006728:Hormones; D011374:Progesterone; D011280:Pregnanolone