Testosterone derivatives are neuroprotective agents in experimental diabetic neuropathy

In this study we have assessed the effect of testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5 alpha-androstan-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol (3 alpha-diol) therapies on diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes was induced in adult male rats by the injection of streptozotocin and resulted in decreased T and increased 3 alpha-diol levels in plasma and in decreased levels of pregnenolone and DHT in the sciatic nerve. Moreover, a reduced expression of the enzyme converting Tinto DHT (i.e., the 5 alpha-reductase) also occurs at the level of sciatic nerve, suggesting that the decrease of DHT levels could be due to an impairment of this enzyme. Chronic treatment for 1 month with DHT or 3 alpha-diol increased tail nerve conduction velocity and partially counteracted the increase of thermal threshold induced by diabetes. Treatment with DHT increased tibial Na+,K+-ATPase activity and the expression of myelin protein P0 in the sciatic nerve.DHT, 3 alpha-diol and T reversed the reduction of intra-epidermal nerve fiber density induced by diabetes. These observations indicate that T metabolites can reverse behavioral, neurophysiological, morphological and biochemical alterations induced by peripheral diabetic neuropathy.