Neuroactive steroids: A therapeutic approach to maintain peripheral nerve integrity during neurodegenerative events.
It is now well known that peripheral nerves are a target for the action of neuroactive steroids. This review summarizes observations obtained so far, indicating that through the interaction with classical and nonclassical steroid receptors, neuroactive steroids (e.g., progesterone, testosterone and their derivatives, estrogens, etc.) are able to influence several parameters of the peripheral nervous system, particularly its glial compartment (i.e., Schwann cells). Interestingly, some of these neuroactive steroids might be considered as promising neuroprotective agents. They are able to counteract neurodegenerative events of rat peripheral nerves occurring after experimental physical trauma, during the aging process, or in hereditary demyelinating diseases. On this basis, the hypothesis that neuroactive steroids might represent a new therapeutic strategy for peripheral neuropathy is proposed.
Leonelli
Emanuela
E
Department of Endocrinology and Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy.
Ballabio
Marinella
M
Consoli
Antonio
A
Roglio
Ilaria
I
Magnaghi
Valerio
V
Melcangi
Roberto C
RC
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D006801:Humans; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000187:drug effects*; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000378:metabolism; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000502:physiology; D013256:Steroids / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D009185:Myelin Proteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D013256:Steroids