Decreased plasma and cerebrospinal fluid content of neuroactive steroids in Parkinson's disease.
The levels of the neuroactive steroids allopregnanolone (THP) and 5alpha-dihydroprogesterone (DHP) were quantified in the plasma of 11 (group 1) and in the liquor of 12 (group 2) Parkinson's disease (PD) patients using a gas-chromatographic/mass-spectrometric method. When compared with controls, both groups showed a significant decrease in DHP and THP concentrations. These decreases could be a useful marker of PD. Moreover, in view of the importance of GABA-ergic transmission to substantia nigra (SN) neurons and GABA-ergic modulation exerted by the two neuroactive steroids, our data indicate a global dysregulation of the SN GABA-ergic system in PD patients. Moreover, a lack of neuroprotective factors (i. e., GDNF, BDNF), promoted by DHP, may contribute to dopaminergic cell death.
di Michele
F
F
IRCCS Fondazione S. Lucia, Via Ardeatina 306, Rome, Italy.
Longone
P
P
Romeo
E
E
Lucchetti
S
S
Brusa
L
L
Pierantozzi
M
M
Bassi
A
A
Bernardi
G
G
Stanzione
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013256:Steroids / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*
D013256:Steroids