Antiseizure effects of 3alpha-androstanediol and/or 17beta-estradiol may involve actions at estrogen receptor beta.
Testosterone (T), the principal androgen secreted by the testes, can have antiseizure effects. Some of these effects may be mediated by T's metabolites. T is metabolized to 3alpha-androstanediol (3alpha-diol). T, but not 3alpha-diol, binds androgen receptor. We investigated effects of 3alpha-diol (1 mg/kg, SC) and/or an androgen receptor blocker (flutamide 10 mg, SC), 1 hour prior to administration of pentylenetetrazol (85 mg/kg, IP). Juvenile male rats administered 3alpha-diol had less seizure activity than those administered vehicle. Flutamide had no effects. T is aromatized to 17beta-estradiol (E(2)), which, like 3alpha-diol, acts at estrogen receptors (ERs). Selective estrogen receptor modulators that favor ERalpha (propyl pyrazole triol, 17alpha-E(2)) or ERbeta (diarylpropionitrile, coumestrol, 3alpha-diol), or both (17beta-E(2)), were administered (0.1 mg/kg, SC) to juvenile male rats 1 hour before pentylenetetrazol. Estrogens with activity at ERbeta, but not those selective for ERalpha, produced antiseizure effects. Actions at ERbeta may underlie some antiseizure effects of T's metabolites.
Department of Psychology, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA. cafrye@albany.edu
Cheryl A
CA
Frye
Allicia
A
Ryan
Madeline
M
Rhodes
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004958:Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D005485:Flutamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D015113:Androstane-3,17-diol; D004958:Estradiol; D005485:Flutamide; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole