Castration Attenuates Myelin Repair Following Lysolecithin Induced Demyelination in Rat Optic Chiasm: An Evaluation Using Visual Evoked Potential, Marker Genes Expression and Myelin Staining

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that affects the central nervous system. MS is the most common neurological disorder in young adults with a greater incidence among females. Male gonadal hormones have a protective effect on neural system development and myelin maturation. In this study, we investigate the effect of castration on lysolecithin-induced demyelination and remyelination processes using visual evoked potentials, in addition to measuring the expressions of Olig2, MBP, Nogo-A and GFAP mRNAs as oligodendrocyte or astrocyte markers; and histological assessments by myelin-specific staining. We observed more expanded demyelination with delayed repair process in castrated rats. Expression levels of the aforementioned marker genes confirmed histological and electrophysiological observations. Our results showed a pivotal role for endogenous male hormones in the context of demyelinating insults. It may also account for the different prognosis of MS between male and female genders and provide new insights for therapeutic treatments.

Sub-Chronic Neuropathological and Biochemical Changes in Mouse Visual System after Repetitive Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

“…In general, lysophospholipids interfere with lipid membrane structures and ion channel activities and their increased local concentration can be detrimental to neurons and their axons [ 63 ]. Numerous studies in the past have shown that application of LPC can cause axon-sparing, segmental demyelination in the peripheral and central nervous system, including the optic nerve [ 64 – 66 ], which can be followed by remyelination [ 67 ]. However, none of these studies specified which of the numerous LPC species (or what type of combination of LPC species) was used to induce this process.…”

The effect of Zingiber Officinale Extract on Preventing Demyelination of Corpus Callosum in a Rat Model of Multiple Sclerosis

“…MS is one of the most common neurological disorders in young people [36] . Inflammation and demyelination of the CNS are two main pathological events in MS [37] . Demyelinating diseases, such as MS, can be induced in the CNS of laboratory animals in different ways; for instance, toxin-induced demyelination [38] , EAE [39,40] , and virus-induced demyelination [41,42] .…”