IMR Press / FBE / Volume 2 / Issue 4 / DOI: 10.2741/E212

Frontiers in Bioscience-Elite (FBE) is published by IMR Press from Volume 13 Issue 2 (2021). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with Frontiers in Bioscience.

Article
Regulatory effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on spinal cord nociceptive function
Show Less
1 Equipe Steroides, Neuromodulateurs et Neuropathologies, Unite de Physiopathologie et Medecine Translationnelle, EA-4438, Universite de Strasbourg, Batiment 3 de la Faculte de Medecine, 11 rue Humann, 67 000 Strasbourg, France
Front. Biosci. (Elite Ed) 2010, 2(4), 1528–1537; https://doi.org/10.2741/E212
Published: 1 June 2010
Abstract

To characterize endogenous molecules regulating nociception, various groups have focused on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Indeed, DHEA modulates NMDA and P2X receptors which control neurobiological activities including nociception. Thus, various results were published on DHEA ability to regulate nociception but the data were interpreted separately. To provide an overview, we analyzed here the current knowledge on DHEA regulatory action on the spinal cord (SC) which is pivotal for nociception. DHEA endogenously synthesized in the SC appears as a key factor regulating nociception. However, DHEA effects on nociceptive mechanisms are complex. Acute DHEA treatment exerts a biphasic effects on nociception (a rapid pro-nociceptive action and a delayed anti-nociceptive effect). Chronic DHEA treatment increased basal nociceptive thresholds in neuropathic and control rats, suggesting that androgenic metabolites of DHEA exerted analgesic effects while DHEA itself caused a rapid pro-nociceptive action. To get more insights into DHEA effects on nociception, we provided a hypothetical scheme recapitulating cellular mechanisms of action of DHEA in the control of nociception. Perspective is opened for the development of DHEA-based strategies against pathological pain.

Share
Back to top