Activation of androgen receptors alters hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory retention through modulation of L-type calcium channels

• Published in: Life sciences (1973) 2023-02, Vol.314, p.121155-121155, Article 121155
• Main Authors: Zarei, Fatemeh, Moazedi, Ahmad Ali, Salimi, Zahra, Pourmotabbed, Ali, Yousofvand, Namdar, Farshad, Moradpour, Akrami, Mohammad Reza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Androgen receptors; Animals; Calcium Channels, L-Type - metabolism; Hippocampal synaptic plasticity; Hippocampus - metabolism; L-type calcium channels; Long-Term Potentiation; Male; Memory performance; Nandrolone Decanoate; Neuronal Plasticity; Nifedipine - metabolism; Nifedipine - pharmacology; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Receptors, Androgen - metabolism
• ISSN: 0024-3205; 1879-0631
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121155

It has been revealed that membrane androgen receptor activation modulates avoidance memory and synaptic plasticity. In a previous study, we showed that Calcineurin, a calcium dependent phosphatase, could be a potential mediator of these AR effects. Also, it is reported that AR activation leads to L-type calcium channel activation. The aim of the current study is to test whether L-type calcium channels are downstream of AR and whether this signal pathway mediates the impairment effect of androgenic steroids on passive avoidance memory and synaptic plasticity. We measured the effect of Nandrolone Decanoate (AR agonist), AR antagonist (Nilutamide) plus ND or L-type calcium channel inhibitor (Nifedipine) plus ND on passive avoidance performance of adolescent male rats. For extracellular field potential recordings hippocampal slices were perfused with ND, Nilutamide-ND or Nifedipine-ND. Our results clarified that AR activation by ND could impair avoidance behavior as step through latency decreased in ND-treated group while application of both Nilutamide and Nifedipine reestablished normal avoidance behavior. Also, LTP induction in the CA1 area of hippocampus was diminished by ND perfusion and both AR antagonist and L-type calcium channel inhibitor application lead to normal LTP. These findings support our hypothesis that activation of L-type calcium channels are involved in ARs mechanism effects on both avoidance behavior and hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Understanding the biological effects of AR agonists on cognitive processes and its cellular mechanism may be a new/supplementary way to treating fear-related disorders. •Activation of androgenic receptors by Nandrolone Decanoate (ND) could impair avoidance behavior as step through latency decreased in ND treated group.•Application of both AR antagonist (Nilutamide) and L-type calcium channel inhibitor (Nifidipine) reestablish normal avoidance behavior.•LTP induction in the CA1 area of hippocampus was diminished by ND perfusion and both Nilutamide and Nifidipine application lead to normal synaptic plasticity.•Blockade of ARs and L-type calcium channels eliminates the impairment effect of AR activation by ND on the E-S coupling