Allopregnanolone-Mediated Protective Effects of Progesterone on Tributyltin-Induced Neuronal Injury in Rat Hippocampal Slices

This study investigated the protective effects of progesterone on neuronal injury induced by tributyltin (TBT) in rat hippocampal slices. Progesterone was found to dose-dependently suppress TBT-induced neuronal injury, and this effect was mediated by its conversion to allopregnanolone, a neuroactive steroid. The neuroprotective action was dependent on the gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor, as it was negated by bicuculline, a GABAA receptor antagonist. The study suggested that allopregnanolone, derived from progesterone, could protect neurons from TBT-induced neurotoxicity through a GABAA receptor-dependent mechanism, highlighting a potential neuroprotective role of neuroactive steroids against environmental chemicals.