雌激素——神经保护与神经损伤的双刃剑

雌激素主要由卵巢、胎盘、睾丸和肾上腺皮质产生,参与各种生理和病理活动。大量研究证实,雌激素对神经系统的功能也发挥了重要作用,如调控学习、记忆、情绪、情感以及发挥神经营养和神经保护作用。近年来,有关雌激素神经保护作用的经典理论受到质疑,新的学说陆续建立。本文将从雌激素的神经保护作用、对神经保护作用的质疑、反思和展望四个方面,就最新有关雌激素在神经系统方面作用的争议进行探讨。

Estrogen：the double-edged sword of neuroprotection and neurodamage

Estrogen is mainly produced by ovary, placenta, testes, and adrenal cortex. It participates in a variety of important physiological and pathological process. Numerous studies have confirmed that in addition to being a ＂reproductive＂ hormone, estrogen also plays an important role in the nervous system including regulating learning, memory, emotions, feelings, and exhibiting neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects. In recent years, the classic theory concerning the estrogen’s neuroprotective effects has been challenged. We will review the controversy about estrogen’s function in central nervous system from four aspects including the neuroprotection of estrogen, the queries, our introspection and outlook of estrogen’s neuroprotection.