DESCRIPTIONPregnenolone is often referred to as the grandparent precursor to steroid hormones in mammals. Pregnenolone is synthesized from cholesterol in the mitochondria of adrenal glands. Pregnenolone is also made to a lesser extent in the brain, liver, skin, testes and ovaries. Once synthesized, pregnenolone is released from the mitochondria into the cytosol where it can be converted to DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) or to progesterone. Progesterone is the precursor to cortisol, aldosterone, androstenedione, estrogen, and testosterone.
Pregnenolone may also be secreted directly into the blood where it circulates primarily as the sulfated form. Pregnenolone has many actions of its own not attributable to its conversion to progesterone or to DHEA. Recent studies show that pregnenolone is important for the function of brain, nervous tissue, liver, pancreas, reproductive tissues, pituitary and skin. Pregnenolone is found in higher concentrations in the central nervous system compared to the peripheral tissues which may reflect its importance in brain function.
As with DHEA, pregnenolone production declines with age. It is estimated that pregnenolone production is about 60% less at age 75 than at age 35. Pregnenolone levels may also decline under various conditions of physiological stress, such as acute and chronic infections and trauma.
Supplementation of pregnenolone may assist the body’s natural homeostatic balance of this hormone and subsequent metabolism.
FUNCTIONS
Animal studies have reported that pregnenolone may help to
enhance memory by modulating N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and
gamma aminobutyrate
(GABA) (A) receptor activity in the brain. One study suggested
that pregnenolone helped promote post-training task learning and
memory.*
Immune Health:
One study indicated that the 7-hydroxy metaboites from
pregnenolone may help promote healthy immune system response.*
Mood Support:
Pregnenolone has been reported to help promote feelings of
emotional well-being. One study suggested that pregnenolone
supported mood and feelings of motivation by mediating dopamine
release.*
The compound diosgenin is extracted from wild yam and undergoes
a proprietary synthetic process to develop the pregnenolone
compound. The human body cannot metabolize wild yam into
pregnenolone. This process can only take place in a laboratory.
Recommendations
5-30 mg per day, with a meal, preferably in the morning or
early afternoon.
FORMULA (#83088-X60PL)
Each Bisect, Sublingual Tablet Contains:
Pregnenolone................................................... 25. mg
(
3-alpha-hydroxy-5-beta-pregnen-20-one)
SUGGESTED USE
Adults take ˝ to 1 tablet daily as directed by physician only.
May be taken sublingually by allowing tablet to dissolve in
mouth or with water or juice.
PRECAUTION
When taken at higher levels, irritability, over-stimulation
and fatigue have been observed. Due to its effects on the GABA
receptor in the central nervous system, supplementation with
pregnenolone could cause problems in people with a history of
seizures. This product is not recommended for use by pregnant or
lactating women.
Pregnenolone may inhibit drugs used to increase GABA activity
(e.g., Neurontin); these drugs are frequently used in the
treatment of epilepsy and depression.*
References:
1. Mathis C, Vogel E, Cagniard B, Criscuolo F, Ungerer A.
The neurosteroid
pregnenolone sulfate blocks deficits induced by a competitive
NMDA
antagonist in active avoidance and lever-press learning tasks in
mice.
Neuropharmacology 1996;35(8):1057-1064.
2. Bowlby MR. Pregnenolone sulfate potentiation of
N-methyl-D-aspartate
receptor channels in hippocampal neurons. Mol Pharmacol 1993
May;43(5):813-819.
3. Flood JF, Morley JE, Roberts E. Pregnenolone sulfate enhances
posttraining
memory processes when injected in very low doses into limbic
system
structures: the amygdala is by far the most sensitive. Proc Natl
Acad
Sci U S A 1995 Nov 7;92(23):10806-10810.
4. Morfin R, Courchay G. Pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone
as precursors
of native 7-hydroxylated metabolites which increase the immune
response in mice. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 1994
Jul;50(1-2):91-100.
5. Barrot M, Vallee M, Gingras MA, Le Moal M, Mayo W, Piazza PV.
The
neurosteroid pregnenolone sulphate increases dopamine release
and the
dopaminergic response to morphine in the rat nucleus accumbens.
Eur J
Neurosci 1999 Oct;11(10):3757-60.
This statement has
not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration.
This
product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease.