Biomaterial Database

Anxiolytic effects of steroid hormones during the estrous cycle. Interactions with ethanol. 1995

M D Brot, and G F Koob, and K T Britton

Department of Neuropharmacology, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA.

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.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011277	Pregnanediones	Pregnane derivatives in which two side-chain methyl groups or two methylene groups in the ring skeleton (or a combination thereof) have been oxidized to keto groups.	Diketopregnanes,Dioxopregnanes
D011374	Progesterone	The major progestational steroid that is secreted primarily by the CORPUS LUTEUM and the PLACENTA. Progesterone acts on the UTERUS, the MAMMARY GLANDS and the BRAIN. It is required in EMBRYO IMPLANTATION; PREGNANCY maintenance, and the development of mammary tissue for MILK production. Progesterone, converted from PREGNENOLONE, also serves as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of GONADAL STEROID HORMONES and adrenal CORTICOSTEROIDS.	Pregnenedione,Progesterone, (13 alpha,17 alpha)-(+-)-Isomer,Progesterone, (17 alpha)-Isomer,Progesterone, (9 beta,10 alpha)-Isomer
D011963	Receptors, GABA-A	Cell surface proteins which bind GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID and contain an integral membrane chloride channel. Each receptor is assembled as a pentamer from a pool of at least 19 different possible subunits. The receptors belong to a superfamily that share a common CYSTEINE loop.	Benzodiazepine-Gaba Receptors,GABA-A Receptors,Receptors, Benzodiazepine,Receptors, Benzodiazepine-GABA,Receptors, Diazepam,Receptors, GABA-Benzodiazepine,Receptors, Muscimol,Benzodiazepine Receptor,Benzodiazepine Receptors,Benzodiazepine-GABA Receptor,Diazepam Receptor,Diazepam Receptors,GABA(A) Receptor,GABA-A Receptor,GABA-A Receptor alpha Subunit,GABA-A Receptor beta Subunit,GABA-A Receptor delta Subunit,GABA-A Receptor epsilon Subunit,GABA-A Receptor gamma Subunit,GABA-A Receptor rho Subunit,GABA-Benzodiazepine Receptor,GABA-Benzodiazepine Receptors,Muscimol Receptor,Muscimol Receptors,delta Subunit, GABA-A Receptor,epsilon Subunit, GABA-A Receptor,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Subtype A Receptors,Benzodiazepine GABA Receptor,Benzodiazepine Gaba Receptors,GABA A Receptor,GABA A Receptor alpha Subunit,GABA A Receptor beta Subunit,GABA A Receptor delta Subunit,GABA A Receptor epsilon Subunit,GABA A Receptor gamma Subunit,GABA A Receptor rho Subunit,GABA A Receptors,GABA Benzodiazepine Receptor,GABA Benzodiazepine Receptors,Receptor, Benzodiazepine,Receptor, Benzodiazepine-GABA,Receptor, Diazepam,Receptor, GABA-A,Receptor, GABA-Benzodiazepine,Receptor, Muscimol,Receptors, Benzodiazepine GABA,Receptors, GABA A,Receptors, GABA Benzodiazepine,delta Subunit, GABA A Receptor,epsilon Subunit, GABA A Receptor,gamma Aminobutyric Acid Subtype A Receptors
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D002707	Chlordiazepoxide	An anxiolytic benzodiazepine derivative with anticonvulsant, sedative, and amnesic properties. It has also been used in the symptomatic treatment of alcohol withdrawal.	Methaminodiazepoxide,7-Chloro-2-methylamino-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepine-4-oxide,7-Chloro-N-methyl-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-amine 4-oxide,Chlordiazepoxide Hydrobromide,Chlordiazepoxide Hydrochloride,Chlordiazepoxide Monohydrochloride,Chlordiazepoxide Perchlorate,Chlozepid,Elenium,Librium,7 Chloro 2 methylamino 5 phenyl 3H 1,4 benzodiazepine 4 oxide,7 Chloro N methyl 5 phenyl 3H 1,4 benzodiazepin 2 amine 4 oxide,Hydrobromide, Chlordiazepoxide,Hydrochloride, Chlordiazepoxide,Monohydrochloride, Chlordiazepoxide,Perchlorate, Chlordiazepoxide
D003220	Conflict, Psychological	The internal individual struggle resulting from incompatible or opposing needs, drives, or external and internal demands. In group interactions, competitive or opposing action of incompatibles: antagonistic state or action (as of divergent ideas, interests, or persons). (from Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed)	Conflict, Psychology,Psychological Conflict,Psychological Conflicts
D004971	Estrus	The period in the ESTROUS CYCLE associated with maximum sexual receptivity and fertility in non-primate female mammals.
D005260	Female		Females
D000428	Alcohol Drinking	Behaviors associated with the ingesting of ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, including social drinking.	Alcohol Consumption,Alcohol Intake,Drinking, Alcohol,Alcohol Drinking Habits,Alcohol Drinking Habit,Alcohol Intakes,Consumption, Alcohol,Drinking Habit, Alcohol,Habit, Alcohol Drinking,Habits, Alcohol Drinking,Intake, Alcohol
D000777	Anesthetics	Agents capable of inducing a total or partial loss of sensation, especially tactile sensation and pain. They may act to induce general ANESTHESIA, in which an unconscious state is achieved, or may act locally to induce numbness or lack of sensation at a targeted site.	Anesthetic,Anesthetic Agents,Anesthetic Drugs,Anesthetic Effect,Anesthetic Effects,Agents, Anesthetic,Drugs, Anesthetic,Effect, Anesthetic,Effects, Anesthetic