Androgens are protective in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: implications for multiple sclerosis.
A gender difference prevails in some murine strains of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS). Our results showed that castration of SJL males, a strain characterized by decreased susceptibility of males as compared to females, displayed increased disease severity. In contrast, castration had no effect on disease in C57BL/6 males, a strain in which no gender difference in EAE is observed. Regardless of whether endogenous androgens were protective in a given genetic background, supplemental androgen treatment was protective in gonadally intact males of both strains. These data provide a basis for the novel therapeutic use of supplemental testosterone for men with MS.
Palaszynski
Karen M
KM
Department of Neurology, Reed Neurological Research Center, University of California Los Angeles, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA.
Loo
Kyi Kyi
KK
Ashouri
Judith F
JF
Liu
Hong-biao
HB
Voskuhl
Rhonda R
RR
D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013045:Species Specificity; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000728:Androgens; D013739:Testosterone