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Related Experiment Videos

Neurosteroids: pregnenolone in human sciatic nerves.

R Morfin1, J Young, C Corpéchot

  • 1Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U33, Laboratoire Hormones, Bicêtre, France.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|August 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary

Schwann cells in human sciatic nerves synthesize pregnenolone, a neurosteroid, at levels significantly higher than plasma or muscle. This suggests peripheral nervous system neurosteroid production.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Previous studies identified neurosteroid synthesis in rat brain oligodendrocytes.
  • Neurosteroids are implicated in nervous system function.
  • The peripheral nervous system's capacity for neurosteroid synthesis was unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and concentration of pregnenolone in human sciatic nerves.
  • To determine if Schwann cells exhibit neurosteroid biosynthetic activity.
  • To explore the potential synthesis of other neurosteroids in the peripheral nervous system.

Main Methods:

  • Pregnenolone was identified using mass spectrometry.
  • Quantification was performed via radioimmunoassay.
  • Levels of pregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and their esters were measured.

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Main Results:

  • Pregnenolone was detected in human sciatic nerves at concentrations significantly exceeding plasma, tendon, and muscle levels (63.9 +/- 45.9 ng/g).
  • Concentrations were over 100 times higher than plasma levels.
  • No correlation was observed between pregnenolone levels and participant sex or age.

Conclusions:

  • Human sciatic nerves, specifically Schwann cells, synthesize pregnenolone.
  • These findings support the concept of neurosteroid synthesis within the peripheral nervous system.
  • Neurosteroids may play a role in peripheral nerve function.