Kits
Pregnenolone sulfate LC-MS/MS
Kits
Description
Steroids and neurosteroids are synthesized from cholesterol, the basic building block
of all steroid hormones. While the classic steroids are produced in tissues like adrenal
gland, gonads or placenta, the synthesis of neurosteroids takes place in the central
and peripheral nervous system. In the 1980s, Baulieu et al. demonstrated that several
steroids, such as dehydroepiandrosterone and pregnenolone, are synthesized de
novo in the central nervous system and present in higher concentrations in the brain
than in the blood. These steroids are universally referred as neurosteroids and are
differently distributed in the brain and the pituitary gland.
Neurosteroids are formed from cholesterol via pregnenolone and progesterone (see
Fig.1). Pregnenolone and progesterone are precursors not only of the synthesis of
gluco- and mineral corticoids in the adrenal gland and of the sexual hormones in
the gonads or placenta, but also of neurosteroids in the central nervous system, i. e.
pregnenolone is an endogenous, naturally produced steroid that is a precursor of
many body hormones.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that neurosteroids interact with neurotransmitter
receptors, influence the brain excitability, thereby functioning as potent allosteric
modulators of several neurotransmitter receptors: the endogenous neurosteroid
allopregnanolone, a positive modulator of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A
(GABAA) receptor complex, activates the GABAA receptor functions lowered by various
stresses, and has anxiolytic and anti-stress effects. In contrast, negative modulators,
like dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and pregnenolone sulfate, inhibit almost
completely the GABAA-receptor.
Due to their lipophility, most of the free steroids can easily pass the blood-brain
barrier. A number of steroids are conjugated as sulfate or fatty acid esters and occur
in concentrations much higher than these of the free steroids. In contrast to the free
steroids, they can not pass through the blood-brain barrier and represent the active
forms involved in the control of various physiological and pathophysiological processes.
Neurosteroids affect a number of processes in the central nervous system, which have
a powerful effect on our thinking and feeling. Furthermore, neurosteroids influence
the social and sexual behavior. At the same time, they are promising pharmaceutical
targets for important indications like epilepsy, anxiety disorders and dementia.
of all steroid hormones. While the classic steroids are produced in tissues like adrenal
gland, gonads or placenta, the synthesis of neurosteroids takes place in the central
and peripheral nervous system. In the 1980s, Baulieu et al. demonstrated that several
steroids, such as dehydroepiandrosterone and pregnenolone, are synthesized de
novo in the central nervous system and present in higher concentrations in the brain
than in the blood. These steroids are universally referred as neurosteroids and are
differently distributed in the brain and the pituitary gland.
Neurosteroids are formed from cholesterol via pregnenolone and progesterone (see
Fig.1). Pregnenolone and progesterone are precursors not only of the synthesis of
gluco- and mineral corticoids in the adrenal gland and of the sexual hormones in
the gonads or placenta, but also of neurosteroids in the central nervous system, i. e.
pregnenolone is an endogenous, naturally produced steroid that is a precursor of
many body hormones.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that neurosteroids interact with neurotransmitter
receptors, influence the brain excitability, thereby functioning as potent allosteric
modulators of several neurotransmitter receptors: the endogenous neurosteroid
allopregnanolone, a positive modulator of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A
(GABAA) receptor complex, activates the GABAA receptor functions lowered by various
stresses, and has anxiolytic and anti-stress effects. In contrast, negative modulators,
like dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and pregnenolone sulfate, inhibit almost
completely the GABAA-receptor.
Due to their lipophility, most of the free steroids can easily pass the blood-brain
barrier. A number of steroids are conjugated as sulfate or fatty acid esters and occur
in concentrations much higher than these of the free steroids. In contrast to the free
steroids, they can not pass through the blood-brain barrier and represent the active
forms involved in the control of various physiological and pathophysiological processes.
Neurosteroids affect a number of processes in the central nervous system, which have
a powerful effect on our thinking and feeling. Furthermore, neurosteroids influence
the social and sexual behavior. At the same time, they are promising pharmaceutical
targets for important indications like epilepsy, anxiety disorders and dementia.