title: Effects of sulpiride on prolactin and mRNA levels of steroid 5alpha-reductase isozymes in adult rat brain.
abstract: Prolactin (PRL) promotes maternal behavior (MB), a complex pattern of behavior aimed at maximizing offspring survival. 3alpha,5alpha-reduced neurosteroids may also regulate MB. Indeed, PRL, 3alpha,5alpha-reduced neurosteroids, and 5alpha-reductase (5alpha-R), the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of these neuroactive steroids, are all increased in stress situations These facts led us to hypothesize a possible interrelation between PRL levels and 5alpha-R. In the present study we quantified mRNA levels of both 5alpha-R isozymes in prefrontal cortex of male and female rats after administration of sulpiride, an inductor of PRL secretion. Our results demonstrated that mRNA levels of both 5alpha-R isozymes were significantly increased in male and female rats by sulpiride, directly or via sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia. Since 3alpha,5alpha-reduced neurosteroids and PRL exert anxiolytic effects in response to stress, these molecules and 5alpha-R may possibly participate in a common pathway of significant adaptation to stress situations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Avda. de Madrid s/n, 18012 Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sánchez
authors.forename: Jesús M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vílchez
authors.forename: Raimundo G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Del Moral
authors.forename: Esperanza
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ortega
mesh_terms: D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013469:Sulpiride / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013469:Sulpiride; D011388:Prolactin; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase