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Review
. 2016 May;22(5):342-50.
doi: 10.1111/cns.12538. Epub 2016 Mar 25.

Neuroprotective Role of Steroidal Sex Hormones: An Overview

Ali Nasir Siddiqui  1 , Nahida Siddiqui  2 , Rashid Ali Khan  1 , Abul Kalam  3 , Nasimudeen R Jabir  4 , Mohammad Amjad Kamal  4   5 , Chelapram Kandy Firoz  4 , Shams Tabrez  4
Affiliations
Review

Neuroprotective Role of Steroidal Sex Hormones: An Overview

Ali Nasir Siddiqui et al. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2016 May.

Abstract

Progesterone, estrogens, and testosterone are the well-known steroidal sex hormones, which have been reported to have "nonreproductive "effects in the brain, specifically in the neuroprotection and neurotrophy. In the last one decade, there has been a surge in the research on the role of these hormones in neuroprotection and their positive impact on different brain injuries. The said interest has been sparked by a desire to understand the action and mechanisms of these steroidal sex hormones throughout the body. The aim of this article was to highlight the potential outcome of the steroidal hormones, viz. progesterone, estrogens, and testosterone in terms of their role in neuroprotection and other brain injuries. Their possible mechanism of action at both genomic and nongenomic level will be also discussed. As far as our knowledge goes, we are for the first time reporting neuroprotective effect and possible mechanism of action of these hormones in a single article.

Keywords: Estrogen; Neuroprotection; Neurotrophy; Progesterone; Steroids; Testosterone.

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Conflict of interest statement

None to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Neuroprotective mechanism of action of progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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