Title
Testosterone protects mitochondrial function and regulates neuroglobin expression in astrocytic cells exposed to glucose deprivation
Date Issued
27 June 2016
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Toro-Urrego N.
Garcia-Segura L.M.
Echeverria V.
Publisher(s)
Frontiers Research Foundation
Abstract
Testosterone is a hormone that has been shown to confer neuroprotection from different insults affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Testosterone induces this protection by different mechanisms that include the activation of anti-apoptotic pathways that are directly implicated in neuronal survival. However, little attention has been devoted to its actions on glial cells. In the present study, we have assessed whether testosterone exerts protection in a human astrocyte cell model, the T98G cells. Our results indicate that testosterone improves cell survival and mitochondrial membrane potential and reduces nuclear fragmentation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. These effects were accompanied by a positive regulation of neuroglobin, an oxygen-binding and sensor protein, which may serve as a regulator of ROS and nitrogen reactive species (NOS), and these protective effects of testosterone may be at least in part mediated by estradiol and DHT. In conclusion, these findings suggest that astroglia may mediate some of the protective actions of testosterone in the brain upon pathological conditions.
Volume
8
Issue
JUN
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Neurociencias Bioquímica, Biología molecular
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-84980410097
Source
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
ISSN of the container
16634365
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus