Urolithin A protects dopaminergic neurons in experimental models of Parkinson disease by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis through SIRT1/PGC-1αsignaling pathway

OBJECTIVE Mitochondrial dys⁃function contributes to the pathogenesis of neuro⁃degenerative diseases such as Parkinson dis⁃ease(PD).Therapeutic strategies targeting mito⁃chondrial dysfunction hold considerable promise for the treatment of PD.Urolithin A(UA)is a gut metabolite produced from ellagic acid-containing foods such as pomegranates,berries,and wal⁃nuts.Recent reports have highlighted the protec⁃tive role of UA in several neurological disorders including Alzheimer disease and ischemic stroke.However,the potential role of UA in PD has not been characterized.In this study,the role of UA in 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity in cell cultures and mouse model of PD was investi⁃gated.METHODS In vitro,PC12 cells were exposed to 6-OHDA in the presence or absence of UA.For in vivo study,C57BL/6 mice were ste⁃reotactic injected with 6-OHDA to induce experi⁃mental PD model.UA(10 mg·kg-1)was intraperi⁃toneal injected for 7 d before surgery.RESULTS UA protected against 6-OHDA cytotoxicity and apoptosis in PC12 cells.Prior administration of UA to 6-OHDA lesioned mice ameliorated both motor deficits and nigral-straital dopaminergic neurotoxicity.Moreover,UA attenuated 6-OHDA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in PC12 cells accompanied by enhanced mitochondrial biogen⁃esis.Mechanically,the neuroprotective effects of UA were mediated by SIRT1-PGC-1αsignaling-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis.CONCLU⁃SION These data provide new insights into the novel role of UA in promoting mitochondria bio⁃genesis and suggest that UA may have potential therapeutic applications for PD.