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TITLE:
Anxiolytic effects of steroid hormones during the
estrous cycle. Interactions with ethanol.
AUTHOR:
Brot MD; Koob GF; Britton KT
AUTHOR AFFILIATION:
Department of Neuropharmacology, Scripps Research
Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.
SOURCE:
Recent Dev Alcohol 1995;12:243-59
NLM CIT. ID:
95350394
ABSTRACT:
Behavioral differences in anxiety have been
observed between both males and females and across the ovarian cycle in females. However,
the data are not entirely consistent and the mechanisms of this potential interaction are
largely unexplored. It appears that the GABA/BZ receptor complex is a site of action for
steroids as well as for many anxiolytic drugs. Both natural steroids, such as progesterone
and its metabolites, and synthetic steroids, such as alphaxalone, reduce anxiety-like
behavior in rats. Alphaxolone also reverses the behavioral effects of potent anxiogenic
agents in the conflict test of anxiety. Studies reported here found that ethanol
administered to rats in different phases of the estrous cycle was more effective as an
anxiolytic when hormone levels were high. The anticonflict response to chlordiazepoxide
also was examined in ovariectomized and steroid-replaced female rats. Insight into the
mechanisms and sites of action for these steroids can be gained from such an approach.
When my office
lease expired at the end of 2004, I decided to turn it into a
"sabbatical" from my private practice. Many years ago, in my
grandfather's 89th year of life, he told me, "John, it is important
to smell the roses while you can still smell them." His life
gave living a very good reputation. It is also true that the
pursuit of that philosophy required my grandfather to to re-open his
assay office/ore market in Wickenburg, Arizona as a 75-year-old because
he had run a little short of retirement money. Thus, if blessed with his
luck and health, I'll be back.. --jjh
