Back to Search
Start Over
Exploring the Impact of the Microbiome on Neuroactive Steroid Levels in Germ-Free Animals
- Source :
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol 22, Iss 12551, p 12551 (2021), International Journal of Molecular Sciences; Volume 22; Issue 22; Pages: 12551, International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- MDPI AG, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Steroid hormones are essential biomolecules for human physiology as they modulate the endocrine system, nervous function and behaviour. Recent studies have shown that the gut microbiota is directly involved in the production and metabolism of steroid hormones in the periphery. However, the influence of the gut microbiota on levels of steroids acting and present in the brain (i.e., neuroactive steroids) is not fully understood. Therefore, using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, we assessed the levels of several neuroactive steroids in various brain areas and the plasma of germ-free (GF) male mice and conventionally colonized controls. The data obtained indicate an increase in allopregnanolone levels associated with a decrease in those of 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol (3α-diol) in the plasma of GF mice. Moreover, an increase of dihydroprogesterone and isoallopregnanolone in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and cerebral cortex was also reported. Changes in dihydrotestosterone and 3α-diol levels were also observed in the hippocampus of GF mice. In addition, an increase in dehydroepiandrosterone was associated with a decrease in testosterone levels in the hypothalamus of GF mice. Our findings suggest that the absence of microbes affects the neuroactive steroids in the periphery and the brain, supporting the evidence of a microbiota-mediated modulation of neuroendocrine pathways involved in preserving host brain functioning.
- Subjects :
- Male
hippocampus
Pregnanolone
Mice
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
cerebellum
cerebral cortex
hypothalamus
plasma
androgens
allopregnanolone
Testosterone
Biology (General)
Gonadal Steroid Hormones
Spectroscopy
Chromatography
Microbiota
Brain
Dihydrotestosterone
General Medicine
Computer Science Applications
Chemistry
Dihydroprogesterone
Hypothalamus
Neurosteroids
medicine.drug
medicine.medical_specialty
Neuroactive steroid
QH301-705.5
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Biology
Article
Catalysis
Inorganic Chemistry
Internal medicine
medicine
Animals
Endocrine system
Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
Molecular Biology
QD1-999
Organic Chemistry
Androstane-3,17-diol
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Germ Cells
Endocrinology
Hormone
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 16616596 and 14220067
- Volume :
- 22
- Issue :
- 12551
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....0de5968d70f7e813c71830a1f6f90b73