Effect of the 5α-Reductase Enzyme Inhibitor Dutasteride in the Brain of Intact and Parkinsonian Mice

October 2017 in “ Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology/The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology ”

Nadhir Litim, Marc Morissette, Donatella Caruso, Roberto Cosimo Melcangi, Thérèse Di Paolo

dutasteride 5α-reductase inhibitor dopamine DOPAC dopamine transporter vesicular monoamine transporter 2 D2 receptor GFAP steroid levels Avodart

TLDR Dutasteride may protect the brain in early Parkinson's disease.

The study investigated the neuroprotective effects of dutasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor, in mice models of early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD). Dutasteride pre-treatment prevented the loss of striatal dopamine and its metabolite DOPAC, and mitigated the effects of MPTP on dopamine transporter (DAT), vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), and D2 receptor binding. It also reduced inflammation by lowering GFAP levels in MPTP-treated mice. The study suggested that dutasteride's neuroprotective effects might be due to altered steroid levels, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for PD. Further research was recommended to understand the molecular mechanisms involved.

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