Impairment in Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Different Brain Parts of Female Mice, Mus musculus Following 17 α-Methyltestosterone (Anabolic- Androgenic Steroid)

Abstract

Objective: Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivatives of the male sex hormone testosterone. In the present investigation, we studied the impact of one of the AAS compounds 17\(\alpha\)-methyltestosterone on acethylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity in different parts of mice brain viz. forebrain, hippocampus, midbrain, and hindbrain. Methods: The adult female mice were assigned to four experimental groups to which different doses of 17\(\alpha\)-Methyltestosterone (17\(\alpha\)-MT- 0.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mg/kg bwt, respectively) were administrated s.c. for 30 days. Results: A significant increase in AChE activity in forebrain and midbrain (low and medium dose treatment) suggests a reduction of cholinergic neurotransmission efficiency due to a decrease in acetylcholine levels in the trans-synaptic cleft. Further, a concurrent reduction in AChE activity was observed in the whole brain, hippocampus and hindbrain of 17\(\alpha\)-MT treated mice suggest the impairment in neuronal transmission. Since the regulation of cholinergic system through acetylcholine hydrolysis has been largely attributed to AChE activity, a significant reduction in its activity may lead to stress-related anxiety, memory loss with some cognitive and behavioral aspects in the mice. Conclusion: Based on the observed results we propose that 17\(\alpha\)-MT an alkylated steroid compound has a negative impact on AChE enzyme activity in different parts of mice brain leading to impairment in neuronal transmission.