Sex Differences and Role of Gonadal Hormones on Glutamate Level After Spinal Cord Injury in Rats: A Microdialysis Study
Journal Title: Basic and Clinical Neuroscience - Year 2019, Vol 10, Issue 3
Abstract
Introduction: Sex differences in outcomes of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) suggest a sex-hormone-mediated effect on post-SCI pathological events, including glutamate excitotoxicity. This study aimed to investigate the importance of gonadal hormones on glutamate release subsequent to SCI in rats. Methods: After laminectomy at T8-T9, an electrolytic lesion was applied to the spinothalamic tracts of male and female rats. Using spinal microdialysis, we assessed glutamate levels at the site of lesion in both intact and gonadectomized rats for 4 hours. In this way, we examined the sex differences in the glutamate concentrations. Results: The peak retention time of glutamate level was 10.6 min and spinal glutamate concentration reached a maximum level 40 min following SCI. In male SCI rats, gonadectomy caused a significant elevation of glutamate level (P<0.001) following injury which was maximum 40 min post-SCI as well. However, no significant alterations were seen in gonadectomized female rats. Conclusion: The significant differences in glutamate levels between both intact and gonadectomized SCI male and female rats show the sex-hormone-related mechanisms underlying the molecular events in the second phase of SCI. It seems that the role of male gonadal hormones to prevent glutamate excitotoxicity is more prominent. The exact mechanisms of these hormones on the functional recovery after SCI should be clarified in further studies.
Authors and Affiliations
Razieh Samandari, Majid Hassanpour-Ezatti, Sajad Fakhri, Fatemeh Abbaszadeh, Masoumeh Jorjani
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP664477
- DOI 10.32598/bcn.9.10.260
- Views 75
- Downloads 0
Bone Marrow Stromal Cells With Exercise and Thyroid Hormone Effect on Post-Stroke Injuries in Middle-aged Mice
Introduction: Based on our previous findings, the treatment of stem cells alone or in combination with thyroid hormone (T3) and mild exercise could effectively reduce the risk of stroke damage in young mice. However, it...
Predicting the Risk of Hearing Impairment Following the Cervical Spine Diseases by Measuring the Cervical Range of Movements: A Pilot Study
Introduction: Cervical spine abnormalities can affect the ear vessels and or nerves with different mechanisms. Ear dysfunctions following cervical spine injuries can be manifested as hearing loss, vertigo, or tinnitus. U...
Stress and Perception of Emotional Stimuli: Long-term Stress Rewiring the Brain
Introduction: Long-term stressful situations can drastically influence one’s mental life. However, the effect of mental stress on recognition of emotional stimuli needs to be explored. In this study, recognition of emoti...
Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Soy on Learning, Memory and Synaptic Plasticity Deficits Induced by Seizure in Ovariectomized Rats
Introduction: Previous studies have shown that seizure can induce cognitive impairment. On the other hand, soy phytoestrogens, which are mainly found in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), have beneficial effects on the ne...
Recent Advances in Hybrid Brain-Computer Interface Systems: A Technological and Quantitative Review
Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is a system that enables users to transmit commands to the computer using their brain activity recorded by electroencephalography. In a Hybrid Brain-Computer Interface (HBCI), a BCI control...