Neuroactivesteroids as neuroprotective agents against the neurodegenerative effects induced by perinatal hypoxia-ischemia injury

Abstract

Hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury is one of main causes of long-term neurologic disability, morbidity and death worldwide in adults and children. This public health concern is mainly characterized by a decrease in oxygen concentration and blood flow to the tissues, which lead to cell death by energy depletion and increases free radical generation and inflammation, caused by an inefficient supply of nutrients to the brain. Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury occurs in perinatal asphyxia (PA), an obstetric complication associated with an impaired gas exchange. The incidence of PA is estimated at 1/1000 live births in developed countries. Currently, there are no effective pharmaceutical strategies to prevent the triggering of secondary injury cascades, including oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction. Neuroactive steroids like selective estrogen receptor modulators, SERMs, exert severalneuroprotective effects. ..