Partial neuroprotection by 17-ß-estradiol in neonatal gamma-irradiated rat cerebellum

ZORRILLA ZUBILETE, M.A.; GUELMAN, LR; MAUR,D.; CÁCERES,L.G.; RIOS, H; ZIEHER, LM; GENARO,A.

NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 2011 vol. 58 p. 273 - 280

0197-0186

Acute and long-term complications can occur in patients receiving radiation therapy. It has been suggested that cytoprotection might decrease the incidence and severity of therapy related toxicity in these patients. Developing cerebellum is highly radiosensitive and for that reason it is a useful structure to test potential neuroprotective substances to prevent radiation induced abnormalities. Nitric Oxide has an important role in the control of the neuronal activity and PKC is one of the vital enzymes required for the normal neuronal development. This enzyme could be the target of ionizing radiation.  Recent studies have shown that estrogen can rapidly modulate intracellular signaling pathways involved in cell survival. Recently, it was demonstrated that estrogens mediate neuroprotection by promoting growth, cell survival and by preventing axonal pruning.The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the treatment with 17-β-estradiol on the motor, structural and biochemical changes induced by neonatal ionizing radiation exposure.  Our results indicate that perinatal chronic 17-β-estradiol treatment partially protects against radiation-induced cerebellar disorganization and motor abnormalities. PKC and NOS activities could be implicated in its neuroprotective mechanism. These data provide a new understanding into the mechanisms underlying estrogen neuroprotection, which is of therapeutic relevance in patients under radiotherapy.