Effects of sulpiride on prolactin and mRNA levels of steroid 5alpha-reductase isozymes in adult rat brain.
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.
Sánchez
Pilar
P
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Avda. de Madrid s/n, 18012 Granada, Spain.
Torres
Jesús M
JM
Vílchez
Pablo
P
Del Moral
Raimundo G
RG
Ortega
Esperanza
E
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*
D007527:Isoenzymes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013469:Sulpiride; D011388:Prolactin; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase