TITLE:

Progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone in women with premenstrual syndrome.

AUTHOR:

Rapkin AJ; Morgan M; Goldman L; Brann DW; Simone D; Mahesh VB

AUTHOR AFFILIATION:

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California Los Angeles School of Medicine, 90095-1740, USA. arapkin@obgyn.medsch.ucla.edu

SOURCE:

Obstet Gynecol 1997 Nov;90(5):709-14

NLM CIT. ID:

98012114

ABSTRACT:

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anxiolytic 3alpha-5alpha-reduced progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and controls. METHODS: Thirty-five women with prospectively documented PMS and 36 controls were evaluated. Serum progesterone and allopregnanolone levels were measured on days 19 and 26 of the cycle as determined by urinary LH detection kits. Analysis of variance and Student t tests were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Allopregnanolone levels were significantly lower on day 26 in the PMS group than in controls (3.6 +/- 0.8 versus 7.5 +/- 1.3 ng/mL; P <.04). Significant differences in the ratio of the metabolite to progesterone also were noted, with a smaller ratio in the PMS subjects (0.9 +/- 0.3 versus 3.2 +/- 1.3 ng/mL; P < .05). There were no significant differences between the PMS and control groups with respect to serum progesterone levels. CONCLUSION: Subjects with PMS manifested lower levels of the anxiolytic metabolite allopregnanolone in the luteal phase when compared with controls. Diminished concentrations of allopregnanolone in women with PMS may lead to an inability to enhance gamma aminobutyric acid-mediated inhibition during states of altered central nervous system excitability, such as ovulation or physiologic or psychological stress. The lowered metabolite levels could contribute to the genesis of various mood symptoms of the disorder, such as anxiety, tension, and depression.

MAIN MESH SUBJECTS:

Anti-Anxiety Agents/*BLOOD
GABA Modulators/*BLOOD
Pregnanolone/*BLOOD
Premenstrual Syndrome/*BLOOD/PSYCHOLOGY

ADDITIONAL MESH SUBJECTS:

Adult
Case-Control Studies
Female
Follicular Phase/BLOOD
Human
Isomerism
Luteal Phase/BLOOD
Progesterone/BLOOD
Prospective Studies

PUBLICATION TYPES:

JOURNAL ARTICLE

LANGUAGE:

Eng

REGISTRY NUMBERS:

0 (Anti-Anxiety Agents)
0 (GABA Modulators)
128-20-1 (Pregnanolone)
4406-35-3 (pregnan-3-ol-20-one)
57-83-0 (Progesterone)

On Sabbatical!

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

On Sabbatical

On Sabbatical!

Copyright 1998-2007 John J. Herr, Ph.D. Please send comments to jjherr@clinicalpsychologist.com