The female sex hormone oestrogen as a neuroprotectant.
It is well recognized that oestrogen regulates sex differentiation and maturation of sex organs via binding to specific intracellular receptors. However, oestrogen receptors (ERs) are expressed in a variety of other tissues, including the nervous system, which suggests that oestrogen's effects are not limited to primary and secondary sex organs. Increasing evidence supports the role of oestrogen as a neuroprotective compound that can act dependently or independently of ER activation; oestrogen has recently been shown to exhibit intrinsic antioxidant activity that is ER independent. Thus, oestrogen might represent a potential 'chemical shield' for neurones. In this article, some recent advances in the elucidation of oestrogen's beneficial activities on nerve cell survival are discussed.
Behl
C
C
Max-Planck-Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstr. 2-10, 80804 Munich, Germany. chris@mpipsykl.mpg.de
Holsboer
F
F
D000818:Animals; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D004967:Estrogens; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents