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Effects of Sulpiride on Prolactin and mRNA Levels of Steroid 5α-reductase Isozymes in Adult Rat Brain

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Abstract

Prolactin (PRL) promotes maternal behavior (MB), a complex pattern of behavior aimed at maximizing offspring survival. 3α,5α-reduced neurosteroids may also regulate MB. Indeed, PRL, 3α,5α-reduced neurosteroids, and 5α-reductase (5α-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 5α-R. In the present study we quantified mRNA levels of both 5α-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 5α-R isozymes were significantly increased in male and female rats by sulpiride, directly or via sulpiride-induced hyperprolactinemia. Since 3α,5α-reduced neurosteroids and PRL exert anxiolytic effects in response to stress, these molecules and 5α-R may possibly participate in a common pathway of significant adaptation to stress situations.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank R. Davies for revising the English text. This study was funded in part by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER-BFU2005–06843) and the Andalusian Regional Government (Endocrinology & Metabolism Group).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Avda. de Madrid s/n, 18012, Granada, Spain

    Pilar Sánchez, Jesús M. Torres & Esperanza Ortega

  2. Institute of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain

    Jesús M. Torres & Esperanza Ortega

  3. Department of Clinical Biochemistry, San Cecilio University Hospital, Granada, Spain

    Pablo Vílchez

  4. Department of Pathology, San Cecilio University Hospital and School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain

    Raimundo G. del Moral

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  1. Pilar Sánchez
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  5. Esperanza Ortega
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Correspondence to Esperanza Ortega.

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Sánchez, P., Torres, J.M., Vílchez, P. et al. Effects of Sulpiride on Prolactin and mRNA Levels of Steroid 5α-reductase Isozymes in Adult Rat Brain. Neurochem Res 33, 820–825 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-007-9512-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-007-9512-9

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