Background and Aim: Nilutamide is a pure non-steroidal antiANDROGEN that is used in the treatment of advanced-stage (metastatic) prostate cancer and acts as a potent and selective ANTAGONIST of the ANDROGEN receptors. Previous studies showed that there must be relationship between ANDROGEN receptors and cognitive aspects of the brain. Therefore, it seems that nilutamide affects spatial learning and memory through effect on ANDROGEN receptors. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of nilutamide on spatial localization in the Morris Water Maze and synaptic plasticity at the hippocampus CA1 area of male adolescent rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=9). Experimantal groups received vehicle (DMSO 10%) as control groups and different doses of Nilutamide (5, 10 and 15μ g/2. 5μ l). Drug and vehicle were injected for 4 days before training. Ethical Considerations: This study with research ethics code EE/ 97, 24, 3061300/ scu. ac. ir has been approved by research ethics committee at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz. Findings: Analysis showed that escape latency and traveled distance for finding hidden platform in the group which received nilutamide (15μ g) were significantly lower than of control group at first (p < 0. 05) and second (p < 0. 01) training days. The results of field potential recording showed that nilutamide had not any significant effect on fEPSP and PS. Conclusion: The results of peresent study releaved that i. c. v microinjection of nilutamide improved spatial learninig in first and second days, wherease increase of treatment (4 days) not affected spatial learning.

Preeclampsia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality during pregnancy. Several independent investigators have demonstrated the association of ANDROGENs with hypertension. The main purpose of this study was to determine whether maternal levels of sex hormones, especially testosterone, are higher in patients with preeclampsia than in matched normotensive control subjects. Serum levels of testosterone, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and estradiol were measured in 60 subjects in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy with documented preeclampsia (including 30 cases of mild and 30 cases of severe preeclampsia) and 60 healthy normotensive women with similar maternal and gestational ages and body mass index (BMI) and neonatal sex. All subjects were primigravid with singleton pregnancies. Cases of polycystic ovary (PCO), diabetes, chronic hypertension and chronic systemic diseases such as lupus and patients using steroid hormones and antihypertensive drugs were excluded. Levels of testosterone, DHEA-S and estradiol were not higher in primigravid women with preeclampsia than in normotensive women with similar gestational and maternal ages, BMI and neonatal sex. There were no significant differences in sex hormones measured between groups of mild and severe preeclampsia and normotensive women. There were also no significant differences in sex hormone levels according to neonatal sex. These findings are against the hypothesis of mediating or amplifying role of high ANDROGEN levels in pathophysiology of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality during pregnancy. Although the pathophysiology of preeciampsia has not yet been fully elucidated, several investigators have demonstrated through human and animal studies, the association of ANDROGENs, especially testosterone with hypertension.The purpose of the study was to determine maternal serum levels of ANDROGENs, especially testosterone, in patients with preeclampsia and its comparison with normotensive control subjects.Serum testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels were measured in 30 subjects in the third trimester of pregnancy with documented preeclampsia and 30 healthy, normotensive women with similar maternal and gestational ages.All subjects were primigravid women with singleton pregnancies who referred to Asali Hospital.Total testosterone and free testosterone levels were significantly higher in patients with preeclampsia (206.2 ng/dl and 0.5 ng/dl) than in the control group (158.8 ng/dl and 0.2 ng/dl). There were no significant differences in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and maternal age, gestational age, body mass index and neonatal sex.Levels of the potent andreogen testosterone were significantly higher in primigravid women with preeclampsia than in normotensive women with similar gestational and maternal ages.This difference may indicate a role for testosteron in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.