Direct and indirect effects of corticosteroids on astrocyte function

Reviews in the Neurosciences
E Pretorius, J Marx

Abstract

Corticosteroids are used for a variety of conditions; among the most well-known uses are for asthma and eczema. We review here the direct and indirect effects of corticosteroids on astrocyte physiology. Astrocytes play an important role in communication between neural cells, as one astrocyte can communicate with many neurons. They are also central in bringing nutrients through the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to the brain areas they serve. Therefore, any chemical or pharmaceutical product entering the brain via the BBB will first come into contact with the astrocytes. We discuss the direct effects that corticosteroids have on astrocyte physiology and functioning; these include inhibited glucose transport, decreased glycogen synthesis and decreased glutamate uptake. Furthermore, the indirect effects of corticosteroids on astrocytes are also reviewed. We know that corticosteroids lower neural serotonin. Lowered serotonin affects astrocyte functioning, and particularly astrocytic cAMP activities, a decrease in cytokine activities and impaired GABA uptake. These can be seen as the indirect effects of corticosteroids on astrocyte physiology. Corticosteroids therefore have a pertinent effect on neuro-energetics due to astrocyte physiolo...Continue Reading

References

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May 20, 2004·Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry·Lidia Struzyńska, Grzegorz Sulkowski

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Citations

Oct 19, 2006·Brain Research·Candice L RodricksMarie E Gibbs
Jul 1, 2005·Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology·J MarxM J Bester
Feb 24, 2006·Journal of Neuroscience Research·Virginia G BarrosMarta C Antonelli

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