Females uniquely vulnerable to alcohol-induced neurotoxicity show altered glucocorticoid signaling.

ABSTRACT: Women are more sensitive to the harmful effects of alcohol (EtOH) abuse than men, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Previous gene expression analysis of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) following a chronic intoxication paradigm using continuous 72 h vapor inhalation found that females, but not males, exhibit an inflammatory response at peak withdrawal that is associated with cell damage. Given that glucocorticoids can function as anti-inflammatories, are known to increase with EtOH exposure, and influence neurotoxicity, we hypothesized that males and females may exhibit an altered corticosterone (CORT) response following chronic intoxication. Analysis of serum CORT levels revealed the expected increase during withdrawal with no difference between males and females,

SUBMITTER: Wilhelm CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4362524 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature