Neuroprotection by Progesterone through Stimulation of Mitochondrial Gene Expression
Abstract
In year I of this grant, we have made good progress toward meeting our stated objectives. For Objective I, we have; A. established that administration of kainic acids to rats at a dose of 8.5 mg/kg results in consistent and reliable seizure behavior and that survival times of 96 hr post-injection is optimal for detection of brain injury and B. established that progesterone can protect animals from seizures produced by kainate, and that a relatively low dose of progesterone is effective in conveying this effect. In addition, we are beginning studies to examine the effects of co-administration of estrogen on the neuroprotective effects of progesterone. For Objectives 2 and 3, we have; established that transient (30 min) exposure to glutamate (100 micrometer) produced reliable and consistent neuronal death after 24 hr. Furthermore, our studies have established that addition of progesterone does not protect rat cerebellar neurons against glutamate-induced excitotoxic neuronal death. We are extending these studies to cultures of cortical neurons that may possess more progesterone receptors, and are beginning to examine the effects of estrogen and co-administration of estrogen and progesterone on glutamate-induced excitotoxicity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA389018
Entities
People
- Gary Fiskum
Organizations
- University of Maryland, Baltimore