Neurosteroids were initially defined as steroid hormones locally synthesized within the nervous tissue. Subsequently, they were described as steroid hormone derivatives that devoid hormonal action but still affect neuronal excitability through modulation of ionotropic receptors. Neurosteroids are further subdivided into natural (produced in the brain) and synthetic. Some authors distinguish bet...

Neurosteroids are a group of steroid hormones synthesized by the brain in the presence of steroidogenic enzymes. Specific neurosteroids modulate function of several receptors, and also regulate growth of neurons, myelinization and synaptogenesis in the central nervous system. Some neurosteroids have been shown to display neuroprotective properties, which may have important implications for thei...

We previously showed that middle-aged female rats sustain a larger infarct following experimental stroke as compared to younger female rats, and paradoxically, estrogen treatment to the older group is neurotoxic. Plasma and brain insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels decrease with age. However, IGF-1 infusion following stroke, prevents estrogen neurotoxicity in middle-aged female rats. IG...

to determine the prognostic value of response to treatment in patients with focal segmental glomerulo-sclerosis. fsgs includes 10-15% of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children. bulk of evidence supports disease relationship with immune system. unfortunately, responses to immunosuppressive drugs are not desirable and progression to end-stage renal disease is common. we analyzed 62 out of 99 c...

Steroids in brain arise from the peripheral endocrine glands and local synthesis. In traumatic brain injury (TBI), the endogenous circulating hormones at the time of injury are important for neuroprotection. In particular, pseudopregnant females recover better than males from TBI. We investigated the effect of pseudopregnancy and TBI on steroid levels in plasma and in three brain regions (withi...

Modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor function by a series of sulfated steroids and dicarboxylic acid ester analogs of pregnenolone sulfate and pregnanolone sulfate was investigated in cultured hippocampal neurons. The "bent" steroid ring structure associated with 5beta-stereochemistry favors receptor inhibition, whereas the more planar ring structure of the pregn-5-enes and 5alpha...

The search for a definitive gender bias in Alzheimer's disease has resulted in a multitude of epidemiological findings that point to a higher prevalence and incidence of Alzheimer's disease in women. Due to this reported predisposition of women to Alzheimer's disease, the sex steroid estrogen has become the primary focus of research in this field, however, inconclusive data regarding estrogen r...

The therapeutic effect of cardiac glycosides for congestive heart failure lies in their reversible inhibition on Na+, K+-ATPase located in human myocardium. Several steroid-like compounds containing a core structure similar to cardiac glycosides have been found in many Chinese herbs and medicinal animal products conventionally used to promote blood circulation. They are putatively responsible f...