Progress on the Neuroprotective Effects of Estrogen

Abstract

Abstract: In the past few years, there has been a growing interest in the neuroprotective effects of estrogen. An increasing amount of data suggest a neuroprotective role for estrogen; however, the molecular mechanisms whereby estrogen exerts these actions are unclear. In this review, we summarized the data supporting neuroprotection and the potential mechanisms that may contribute to these neuroprotective effects, including classical estrogen receptor activity, activation of the MAPK signaling transduction pathways, attenuation of glutamate receptor activation, antioxidant activity and regulation of mitochondrial function. Estrogen is a multi-faceted hormone modulating many aspects of neuronal function and no single mechanism of action has been elucidated for the neuroprotective effects of estrogens.

Key words: estrogen, neuroprotective, estrogen receptor (ER), neurodegenerative diseases

CLC Number:

R964

SHEN Li-xia, ZHANG Li. Progress on the Neuroprotective Effects of Estrogen[J]. Acta Neuropharmacologica, 2012, 2(3): 29-36.

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