Bernardi F, Salvestroni C, Casarosa E, Nappi R E, Lanzone A, Luisi S, Purdy R H, Petraglia F, Genazzani A R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pisa, Italy.
Eur J Endocrinol. 1998 Mar;138(3):316-21. doi: 10.1530/eje.0.1380316.
Allopregnanolone is a potent neuroactive steroid hormone produced in the brain and in peripheral endocrine glands. The present study investigated possible age-related variations in allopregnanolone content in brain areas, endocrine glands and serum of male rats.
Wistar male rats were categorized into 5 groups (6 rats in each) according to age: 6, 12, 16, 18 and 20 months respectively.
Allopregnanolone content in acidic homogenates of brain cortex, hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals and gonads was measured by a specific radioimmunoassay. Serum allopregnanolone, corticosterone and testosterone were also assayed by radioimmunoassay.
Brain cortex allopregnanolone content decreased significantly with age, while hypothalamic allopregnanolone content remained constant until 18 months and increased significantly at 20 months. Pituitary content showed a significant age-related reduction. Adrenal allopregnanolone content remained constant until 18 months, and was significantly higher at 20 months. Testis and serum allopregnanolone contents showed significant age-related increases. Serum testosterone levels showed an age-related decrease, while no age-related variation in serum corticosterone was found.
The present study showed a significant impact of aging on allopregnanolone contents in brain, endocrine glands and serum, showing an age-related decrease in brain cortex and pituitary, and an age-related increase in testes, adrenals and serum.
别孕烯醇酮是一种在大脑和外周内分泌腺中产生的强效神经活性甾体激素。本研究调查了雄性大鼠脑区、内分泌腺和血清中别孕烯醇酮含量可能存在的与年龄相关的变化。
将Wistar雄性大鼠按年龄分为5组（每组6只）：分别为6、12、16、18和20月龄。
采用特异性放射免疫分析法测定大脑皮层、下丘脑、垂体、肾上腺和性腺酸性匀浆中的别孕烯醇酮含量。血清中的别孕烯醇酮、皮质酮和睾酮也采用放射免疫分析法进行检测。
大脑皮层别孕烯醇酮含量随年龄显著降低，而下丘脑别孕烯醇酮含量在18个月前保持恒定，在20个月时显著升高。垂体含量显示出与年龄相关的显著降低。肾上腺别孕烯醇酮含量在18个月前保持恒定，在20个月时显著升高。睾丸和血清中别孕烯醇酮含量显示出与年龄相关的显著增加。血清睾酮水平显示出与年龄相关的降低，而血清皮质酮未发现与年龄相关的变化。
本研究表明衰老对大脑、内分泌腺和血清中的别孕烯醇酮含量有显著影响，表现为大脑皮层和垂体中与年龄相关的降低，以及睾丸、肾上腺和血清中与年龄相关的增加。
