Sexually Dimorphic Effect of Progesterone and Its Reduced Metabolites on the Gene Expression of Myelin Proteins in Rat Schwann Cells

The document reports on the sexually dimorphic effects of progesterone (P) and its metabolites, dihydroprogesterone (DHP) and tetrahydroprogesterone (THP), on the gene expression of myelin proteins in rat Schwann cells. The study found that P and DHP stimulate the expression of the myelin protein PO in male Schwann cells but not in females, while THP increases PO expression exclusively in female cells. Additionally, PMP22 expression is increased by P in male cultures and by THP in female cultures. MAG expression is stimulated by THP in male cultures only, and MAL expression is unaffected by any treatment in both sexes. These findings suggest that the impact of neuroactive steroids on myelin proteins is dependent on the sex of the Schwann cells, indicating a potential for sex-specific therapeutic strategies for peripheral neuropathies. The number of subjects (rat Schwann cells) used in the study is not specified in the summary provided.