Effects of metoclopramide on mRNA levels of 5alpha-reductase isozymes in rat brain.
Prolactin and 3alpha, 5alpha-reduced neurosteroids are implicated in maternal behavior. Sulpiride, an inductor of hyperprolactinemia, increased mRNA levels of 5alpha-reductase (5alpha-R), the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of these neurosteroids, indicating a possible interrelationship between prolactin levels and 5alpha-R, although the effects of sulpiride per se cannot be ruled out. In this study, we quantified mRNA levels of both 5alpha-R isozymes in prefrontal cortex of rats after the administration of metoclopramide, another inductor of prolactin secretion. The mRNA levels of both 5alpha-R isozymes were significantly increased in male and female rats by metoclopramide, although the effect was not identical to that of sulpiride. Therefore, other factors induced by these drugs, besides prolactin, may intervene in the regulation of both 5alpha-R isozymes.
Sánchez
Pilar
P
Department of aBiochemistry, San Cecilio University Hospital and School of Medicine, San Cecilio University Hospital, 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; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000187:drug effects; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D007527:Isoenzymes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011388:Prolactin; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase; D008787:Metoclopramide