Weak correlations between serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone in males

Jan Martin,Armin Podtschaske,Simone M Kagerbauer,Eva Plank,Bettina Jungwirth,Alexander Hapfelmeier

doi:10.1186/s12868-019-0535-3

Jan Martin, Armin Podtschaske + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12868-019-0535-3

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Abstract

BackgroundNeuroactive steroids seem to be implicated in a variety of neurophysiological and behavioral processes, such as sleep, learning, memory, stress, feeding and aging. Numerous studies have also addressed this implication in various cerebral disorders and diseases. Yet, the correlation and association between steroids in the periphery, e.g. blood, and the central compartments, e.g. cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), have not yet been comprehensively assessed. As the brain is not directly accessible, and the collection of human CSF usually requires invasive procedures, easier accessible compartments, such as blood, have always attracted attention. However, studies in humans are scarce. In the present study we determined estradiol, progesterone and testosterone levels in CSF and serum of 22 males without cerebral disorders or diseases.ResultsSamples were taken under conditions corresponding closest to basal conditions with patients expecting only spinal anesthesia and minor surgery. All samples per patient were collected concomitantly. Total estradiol, progesterone and testosterone concentrations were measured by electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. The strength of correlation was assessed by Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. Correlation analysis revealed merely weak to very weak correlations for estradiol, progesterone and testosterone respectively between the CSF and serum compartments.ConclusionsTotal steroid levels of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone in CSF and serum of males without neurological disorders were determined. Weak to very weak correlations between CSF and serum were found thus suggesting that concentrations in the periphery do not parallel concentrations in the central compartments. Further research is needed to clarify to what extent and under which conditions serum levels of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone may possibly serve as a biomarker reflecting the respective concentrations in the CSF or in the brain.

Highlights

Neuroactive steroids seem to be implicated in a variety of neurophysiological and behavioral processes, such as sleep, learning, memory, stress, feeding and aging
The correlation analysis of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed only weak to very weak correlations between the two compartments with coefficients below 0.3 for all three steroids
In humans, the correlation and association between steroids in the periphery, e.g. blood, and the central compartments, e.g. CSF, have not yet been comprehensively assessed. This issue has long been addressed and remains subjected to studies in order to shed light on a complex system of peripheral and central steroid synthesis and steroid penetration across the blood–brain and blood– CSF barrier [12, 13]. This investigation analyzed the correlation of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone levels between CSF and serum of males without cerebral disorders or diseases

Summary

Introduction

Neuroactive steroids seem to be implicated in a variety of neurophysiological and behavioral processes, such as sleep, learning, memory, stress, feeding and aging. Numerous studies have addressed this implication in various cerebral disorders and diseases. As the brain is not directly accessible, and the collection of human CSF usually requires invasive procedures, easier accessible compartments, such as blood, have always attracted attention. Neuroactive steroids seem to be implicated in a variety of neurophysiological and behavioral processes, such as sleep, learning, memory, stress, anxiety, feeding, aging [1,2,3]. Even presuming that steroid levels in the CSF may reflect steroid activity in the brain, the dilemma in principle persists as human CSF is not easy to obtain and usually requires invasive procedures such as lumbar puncture or ventricular drainage. The issue of whether concentrations of steroids in easier accessible compartments, such as blood, may adequately reflect neuropeptide activity in the CSF remains subjected to studies [12]

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