Effects of the androgenic/anabolic steroid stanozolol on GABAA receptor function: GABA-stimulated 36Cl- influx and [35S] TBPS binding. 1996

A E Masonis, and M P McCarthy
Dept. of Pharmacology, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway.

We have recently demonstrated that androgenic/anabolic steroids modulate in vitro ligand binding to the benzodiazepine binding site(s) associated with the gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor complex (Masonis and McCarthy, 1995). One androgenic/anabolic steroid in particular, stanozolol, appears to stabilize the GABAA receptor in a moderate-affinity state for benzodiazepine binding. In the present study, we demonstrate the effects of stanozolol on the functional responsiveness of the GABAA receptor. After pre-incubation with stanozolol, we observed a decrease in the Emax and EC50 values for GABA-stimulated 36Cl- influx into cortical synaptoneurosomes. Moreover, in the presence of stanozolol, flunitrazepam-enhanced GABA-stimulated 36Cl- influx was lost, and the GABAA receptor was stabilized in a functional state that was resistant to further desensitization by agonist. Stanozolol does not appear to reduce GABA-stimulated 36Cl- influx by acting as a channel blocker at the well-characterized channel blocker binding site, as illustrated by the GABA-sensitive biphasic effects of stanozolol on [35S] t-butylbicyclophosphorothionate binding. These results demonstrate a novel, nongenomic mechanism for androgenic/anabolic steroidal modulation of CNS function.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
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
D002712 Chlorides Inorganic compounds derived from hydrochloric acid that contain the Cl- ion. Chloride,Chloride Ion Level,Ion Level, Chloride,Level, Chloride Ion
D004305 Dose-Response Relationship, Drug The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug. Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D005680 gamma-Aminobutyric Acid The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. 4-Aminobutyric Acid,GABA,4-Aminobutanoic Acid,Aminalon,Aminalone,Gammalon,Lithium GABA,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Calcium Salt (2:1),gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Hydrochloride,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Monolithium Salt,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Monosodium Salt,gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Zinc Salt (2:1),4 Aminobutanoic Acid,4 Aminobutyric Acid,Acid, Hydrochloride gamma-Aminobutyric,GABA, Lithium,Hydrochloride gamma-Aminobutyric Acid,gamma Aminobutyric Acid,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Hydrochloride,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Monolithium Salt,gamma Aminobutyric Acid, Monosodium Salt
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013197 Stanozolol A synthetic steroid that has anabolic and androgenic properties. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p1194) Androstanazol,Methylstanazol,Stanazolol,Stromba,Winstrol
D017207 Rats, Sprague-Dawley A strain of albino rat used widely for experimental purposes because of its calmness and ease of handling. It was developed by the Sprague-Dawley Animal Company. Holtzman Rat,Rats, Holtzman,Sprague-Dawley Rat,Rats, Sprague Dawley,Holtzman Rats,Rat, Holtzman,Rat, Sprague-Dawley,Sprague Dawley Rat,Sprague Dawley Rats,Sprague-Dawley Rats
D045930 Anabolic Agents These compounds stimulate anabolism and inhibit catabolism. They stimulate the development of muscle mass, strength, and power. Anabolic Effect,Anabolic Effects,Agents, Anabolic,Effect, Anabolic,Effects, Anabolic

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