BACKGROUND: Disruption of axonal transport plays a pivotal role in diabetic neuropathy. A sex-dimorphism exists in the incidence and symptomatology of diabetic neuropathy; however, no studies so far have addressed sex differences in axonal motor proteins expression in early diabetes as well as the possible involvement of neuroactive steroids. Interestingly, recent data point to a role for mitochondria in the sexual dimorphism of neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondria have a fundamental role in axonal transport by producing the motors' energy source, ATP. Moreover, neuroactive steroids can also regulate mitochondrial function. METHODS: Here, we investigated the impact of short-term diabetes in the peripheral nervous system of male and female rats on key motor proteins important for axonal transport, mitochondrial function, and neuroactive steroids levels. RESULTS: We show that short-term diabetes alters mRNA levels and axoplasm protein contents of kinesin family member KIF1A, KIF5B, KIF5A and Myosin Va in male but not in female rats. Similarly, the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator-1α, a subunit of the respiratory chain complex IV, ATP levels and the key regulators of mitochondrial dynamics were affected in males but not in females. Concomitant analysis of neuroactive steroid levels in sciatic nerve showed an alteration of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and allopregnanolone in diabetic males, whereas no changes were observed in female rats. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that sex-specific decrease in neuroactive steroid levels in male diabetic animals may cause an alteration in their mitochondrial function that in turn might impact in axonal transport, contributing to the sex difference observed in diabetic neuropathy.

Axonal transport in a peripheral diabetic neuropathy model : sex-dimorphic features / M. Pesaresi, S. Giatti, R. Spezzano, S. Romano, S. Diviccaro, T. Borsello, N. Mitro, D. Caruso, L.M. Garcia-Segura, R.C. Melcangi. - In: BIOLOGY OF SEX DIFFERENCES. - ISSN 2042-6410. - 9:1(2018 Jan 19), pp. 6.1-6.14.

Axonal transport in a peripheral diabetic neuropathy model : sex-dimorphic features

M. Pesaresi
;
S. Giatti;R. Spezzano;S. Romano;S. Diviccaro;T. Borsello;N. Mitro;D. Caruso;R.C. Melcangi
2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Disruption of axonal transport plays a pivotal role in diabetic neuropathy. A sex-dimorphism exists in the incidence and symptomatology of diabetic neuropathy; however, no studies so far have addressed sex differences in axonal motor proteins expression in early diabetes as well as the possible involvement of neuroactive steroids. Interestingly, recent data point to a role for mitochondria in the sexual dimorphism of neurodegenerative diseases. Mitochondria have a fundamental role in axonal transport by producing the motors' energy source, ATP. Moreover, neuroactive steroids can also regulate mitochondrial function. METHODS: Here, we investigated the impact of short-term diabetes in the peripheral nervous system of male and female rats on key motor proteins important for axonal transport, mitochondrial function, and neuroactive steroids levels. RESULTS: We show that short-term diabetes alters mRNA levels and axoplasm protein contents of kinesin family member KIF1A, KIF5B, KIF5A and Myosin Va in male but not in female rats. Similarly, the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator-1α, a subunit of the respiratory chain complex IV, ATP levels and the key regulators of mitochondrial dynamics were affected in males but not in females. Concomitant analysis of neuroactive steroid levels in sciatic nerve showed an alteration of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and allopregnanolone in diabetic males, whereas no changes were observed in female rats. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that sex-specific decrease in neuroactive steroid levels in male diabetic animals may cause an alteration in their mitochondrial function that in turn might impact in axonal transport, contributing to the sex difference observed in diabetic neuropathy.
Dorsal root ganglia; Female; Male; Mitochondria; Neuroactive steroids; Sciatic nerve; Streptozotocin; Gender Studies; Endocrinology
Settore BIO/14 - Farmacologia
Settore BIO/16 - Anatomia Umana
Settore MED/13 - Endocrinologia
Settore BIO/10 - Biochimica
   Diabetic peripheral neuropathy: relationship between neuroactive steroids ad myelin lipid synthesis
   FONDAZIONE CARIPLO
   2012-0547
19-gen-2018
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/548329
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