====== Progesterone ======
{{ ::progesterone.png?300|}}

see also [[Progesterone receptor]].

(pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione; abbreviated as P4) is an endogenous [[steroid hormone]] involved in the [[menstrual cycle]], [[pregnancy]], and [[embryogenesis]] of humans and other species.

It belongs to a group of steroid hormones called the progestogens, and is the major progestogen in the body. Progesterone is also a crucial metabolic intermediate in the production other endogenous steroids, including the sex hormones and the [[corticosteroid]]s, and plays an important role in brain function as a neurosteroid.
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[[Dexamethasone]] (DEXA) is widely used in the management of [[peritumoral edema]]. DEXA, however, has many systemic side-effects, and may interact negatively with [[glioma]] therapy. Progesterone (PROG), on the other hand, is a well-tolerated and readily accessible [[antiinflammatory]] and anti-[[edema]] agent with potent [[neuroprotective]] properties. 

Cheng et al., investigated if PROG can serve as a viable alternative to DEXA in the management of peri-tumoral brain edema.

They used an orthotopic [[C6]] glioblastoma model with male [[Sprague Dawley rat]]s. Tumor [[graft]]s were allowed to grow for 14 days prior to [[drug]] treatment with (i) DEXA 1mg/kg, (ii) PROG 10mg/kg or (iii) PROG 20 mg/kg for five consecutive days. Overall animal survival and neurologic functions were evaluated. Mechanistic studies on [[blood brain barrier]] (BBB) permeability and angiogenic responses were performed on the ex vivo tumor grafts.

They found that all drug treatments prolonged [[overall survival]] to different extents. PROG 10mg led to significantly longer [[survival]], and better [[preservation]] of neurologic functions and body [[weight]]. [[BBB]] permeability was better preserved with PROG 10mg than DEXA possibly through the [[downregulation]] of MMP-9 and AQP-4 expressions; anti-angiogenic responses were also observed in the PROG group.

This proof-of-concept pilot study provides novel information on the use of PROG as a corticosteroids-sparing agent in brain tumor management. Further translational and clinical studies are warranted
((Cheng Y, Yeung WL, De Zhang P, Li N, Kiang MY, Leung KK. Progesterone is more 
effective than dexamethasone in prolonging overall survival and preserving
neurologic functions in experimental animals with orthotopic glioblastoma
allografts. World Neurosurg. 2019 Jan 30. pii: S1878-8750(19)30211-6. doi:
10.1016/j.wneu.2019.01.113. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30710720.
)).

===== Progesterone for acute traumatic brain injury =====
see [[Progesterone for acute traumatic brain injury]].