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The Steroidogenesis Inhibitor Finasteride Reduces the Response to Both Stressful and Rewarding Stimuli
Sean C Godar1, Roberto Cadeddu1, Gabriele Floris1
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake, UT 84112, USA.
Biomolecules
|November 23, 2019
Summary
Finasteride (FIN) impairs stress reactivity and reduces behavioral activation in rats by affecting the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This study investigated FIN
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Finasteride (FIN) inhibits steroid 5α-reductase (5αR), impacting neuroactive metabolite synthesis.
- FIN is used for benign prostatic hyperplasia and male baldness but may cause psychological issues.
- Contradictory clinical reports exist regarding FIN's psychological effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Finasteride (FIN) on mood regulation and stress reactivity in rats.
- To explore the underlying neuroendocrine mechanisms of FIN's behavioral effects.
Main Methods:
- Administered FIN to rats and assessed behavior using a battery of tests.
- Evaluated stress coping via the forced-swim test (FST).
- Measured corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels.
Main Results:
- FIN reduced exploratory, incentive, prosocial, and risk-taking behaviors.
- FIN increased immobility in the FST, indicating impaired stress coping, irrespective of gonadal steroids.
- FIN treatment led to decreased CRH mRNA and ACTH levels, suggesting HPA axis alteration.
Conclusions:
- Finasteride (FIN) impairs stress reactivity and reduces behavioral activation and impulsive behavior in rats.
- FIN's effects are linked to alterations in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function.
- These findings provide insight into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying FIN's behavioral effects.
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