Neurotoxic mechanism of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetradropyridine

BACKGROUND ： To summarize the metabolic pathway of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetradropyridine （MPTP） and its mechanism in inducing Parkinson disease. DATA SOURCES： A computer-based online search of Medline database was undertaken to identify articles about the metabolic pathway of MPTP and its mechanism in inducing Parkinson disease published in English between January 1996 and August 2004, the keywords were ＂MPTP, Parkinson disease＂. Meanwhile, Chinese relevant articles published between January 2000 and August 2004 were searched in Wanfang database with the keywords of ＂MPTP, Parkinson disease＂. STUDY SELECTION： More than 300 relevant literatures were retrieved, and the full-texts were further searched, those about the establishment of animal models, molecular mechanism of MPTP neurotoxicity and the metabolism were selected, and the obviously repetitive ones, case report and reviews were excluded, finally 18 of them were selected for summarization. DATA EXTRACTION： The 18 literatures were categorized according to MPTP induced animal models of Parkinson disease, mechanism of MPTP in inducing apoptosis in models of Parkinson disease, role of dopamine in the neurotoxic mechanism of MPTP, the role of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide in the neurotoxicity of MPTP. DATA SYNTHESIS： Animal models of Parkinson disease induced by MPTP can not only produce the clinical characters of Parkinson disease, also duplicate the main biochemical and pathological changes of Parkinson disease. The metabolic pathway of MPTP and its mechanism in inducing Parkinson disease included producing free oxygen and nitric oxide, damaging mitochondrial respiratory chain, and inducing apoptosis, etc. which could all lead to the degeneration and loss of dopaminergic neurons. CONCLUSION ： Although some aspects of the models of Parkinson disease are different from that in human beings, we can still know the neurodegeneration of Parkinson disease through studying the molecular mechanism of MPTP.

Effect of Zishenpingchan granule prepared from Chinese medicinal substances on the c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase pathway in mice with Parkinson's disease induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the regulatory mechanism of the c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase(JNK)signaling pathway in substantia nigra(SN) dopaminergic neurons inflammation and apoptosis, and the neuroprotective effect of Zishenpingchan granules in mice with Parkinson's disease(PD) induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP).METHODS:PD model mice were established by intraperitoneally injecting MPTP.Sixty mice were divided into a model group, Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) group and control group.The mice of the TCM group were administered Zishenpingchan granules 7 days before PD induction.Seven days after PD induction, we examined locomotor activity,and performed the rotarod test and swimming test,to evaluate limb movement function.Furthermore,we used immunohistochemistry and western blotting to examine the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH), cyclooxygenase-2(Cox-2), caspase-3 and p-JNK.The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated d UTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) method was used to examine neuron apoptosis in the SN.RESULTS:Compared with the control group, the mean score of locomotor activity, rotarod test and swimming test was significantly lower in the model group(P < 0.05); the TH-positive neuron expression was significantly decreased in the SN pars compacta(SNpc); the protein expression levels of Cox-2,caspase-3 and p-JNK was obviously increased; and the number of TUNEL-positive neurons in the SN was increased(P < 0.01).Compared with the model group, the mean score of neurobehavioral tests in the TCM group was obviously higher, the loss of TH-positive neurons ignificantly decreased, the protein expression levels of Cox-2, caspase-3 and p-JNK obviously decreased, and the number of TUNEL-positive neurons in the SN clearly decreased(P < 0.01).CONCLUSION:The JNK pathway plays an important role in the regulation of inflammation and apoptosis in nigral cells in PD mice.TCM can suppress the over-activation of the JNK pathway in the SN, and alleviate the inflammatory response in nigral cells and dopaminergic neuron apoptosis in PD mice.

Scorpion venom heat-resistant protein decreases immunoreactivity of OX-42-positive microglia cells in MPTP-treated mice

BACKGROUND： Microglia function as the immune surveyors of the brain under normal physiologica conditions. However, microglia become activated in response to brain injuries and immunological OBJECTIVE： To explore the influence of scorpion venom （SV） heat-resistant protein on frontal cortex and hippocampal microglia cells in a mice model of Parkinson＇s disease. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Randomized, controlled, cellular immunity study. The experiment was performed at the Physiology Department Laboratory in Dalian Medical University between June 2005 and July 2008. MATERIALS： Ninety-six healthy, C57B1/6 mice; 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine （MPTP） from Sigma, USA; SV heat-resistant protein （Experimental Base Institute in Dalian Medical University）. The mice were randomly divided into four groups （n = 24）： normal control, negative control, model, and SV heat-resistant protein. METHODS： Mice in the model and SV heat-resistant protein groups were subcutaneously injected with MPTP （20 mg/kg） to model Parkinson＇s disease, while the normal control and negative control groups were injected with physiological saline in the neck for 8 successive days. In addition, mice in the model and normal control groups were intraperitoneally injected with physiological saline 2 hours following administration, while SV heat-resistant protein and negative control groups were injected SV heat-resistant protein （0.01 mg/kg）. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： lmmunoreactivity of microglia cells in MPTP-treated mice. RESULTS： Compared with normal control mice, MPTP-treated mice displayed increased OX-42 expression in the brain. However, in the SV heat-resistant protein-treated mice, OX-42 expression was decreased, compared to the model group. In the model mouse group, the number of OX-42-positive microglia was increased in the frontal cortex, caudatum, and hippocampal hilus, compared to the normal control mice （P 〈 0.01）. However, in the SV heat-resistant protein-treated mice, the number of OX-42-positive microglia significantly decreased in the frontal cortex, caudatum, and hippocampal hilus, compared to the model group （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： SV heat-resistant protein inhibited MPTP-induced microglial activation in the mouse frontal cortex and hippocampus, resulting in reduced microglial activation in the brain.

Tp53 gene mediates distinct dopaminergic neuronal damage in different dopaminergic neurotoxicant models

Tp53, a stress response gene, is involved in diverse cell death pathways and its activation is implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson＇s disease. However, whether the neuronal Tp53 protein plays a direct role in regulating dopaminergic （DA） neuronal cell death or neuronal terminal damage in different neurotoxicant models is unknown. In our recent studies, in contrast to the global inhibition of Tp53 function by phar- macological inhibitors and in traditional Tp53 knock-out mice, we examined the effects of DA-specific Tp53 gene deletion after 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and methamphetamine exposure. Our data suggests that the Tp53 gene might be involved in both neuronal apoptosis and neuronal termi- nal damage caused by different neurotoxicants. Additional results from other studies also suggest that as a master regulator of many pathways that regulate apoptosis and synaptic terminal damage, it is possible that Tp53 may function as a signaling hub to integrate different signaling pathways to mediate distinctive target pathways. Tp53 protein as a signaling hub might be able to evaluate the microenvironment of neurons, assess the forms and severities of injury incurred, and determine whether apoptotic cell death or neuro- nal terminal degeneration occurs. Identification of the precise mechanisms activated in distinct neuronal damage caused by different forms and severities of injuries might allow for development of specific Tp53 inhibitors or ways to modulate distinct downstream target pathways involved.

Downregulation of thioredoxin reductase 1 expression in the substantia nigra pars compacta of Parkinson's disease mice

Because neurons are susceptible to oxidative damage and thioredoxin reductase 1 is extensively distributed in the central nervous system and has antioxidant properties, we speculated that the enzyme may be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson＇s disease. A Parkinson＇s disease model was produced by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine into C57BL/6 mice. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR, western blot analysis and colorimetric assay showed that the levels of thioredoxin reductase 1 mRNA and protein were decreased, along with a significant reduction in thioredoxin reductase activity, in the midbrain of Parkinson＇s disease mice compared with normal mice. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the number of thioredoxin reductase 1-positive neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta of Parkinson＇s disease mice was significantly decreased compared with normal mice. These experimental findings suggest that the expression of thioredoxin reductase 1 in the substantia nigra pars compacta of Parkinson＇s disease mice is significantly decreased, and that the enzyme may be associated with disease onset.

Ginsenoside Rg1 attenuates motor impairment and neuroinflammation in the MPTP-probenecid-induced parkinsonism mouse model

OBJECTIVE To evaluate these activities of Rg1 in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)/probenecid(MPTP/p)-induced PD mouse model for the first time and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to six groups.One hour prior to MPTP/p injection,GroupⅢ-Ⅵmice received 10 mg·kg^(-1),20 mg·kg^(-1),or 40 mg·kg^(-1) Rg1 or 3 mg·kg^(-1) selegiline,respectively,orally from D(-3) to D49.GroupⅠ-Ⅱmice received solvent water.Subsequently,GroupⅡ-Ⅵmice received by injection MPTP-HCl(25 mg·kg^(-1) bw dissolved in0.9%saline,sc)on a 40-d schedule at intervals of 4 d between consecutive doses in combination with an adjuvant drug,probenecid(250 mg·kg^(-1) bw in 0.03 mL of DMSO,ip);GroupⅠmice were injected with saline and probenecid.Behavioral performance was assessed in the open field test,pole test and rotarod test.Neurotransmitters in the striatum were detected using HPLC.Protein levels were measured by Western blot.Pathological characteristics were examined by immunohistochemistry.Ultrastructure changes were observed by electron microscopy.RESULTS Oral treatment with Rg1 significantly attenuated the high MPTP-induced mortality,behavior defects,loss of dopamine neurons and abnormal ultrastructure changes in the SNpc.Other assays indicated that the protective effect of Rg1 may be mediated by its anti-neuroinflammatory properties.Rg1 regulated MPTP-induced reactive astrocytes and microglia and decreased the release of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1b(IL^(-1)b)in the SNpc.Rg1 also al eviated the unusual MPTP induced increase in oligomeric,phosphorylated and disease-related a-synuclein in the SNpc.CONCLUSION Rg1 protects dopaminergic neurons,most likely by reducing aberrant a-synuclein-mediated neuroinflammation,and holds promise for Parkinson disease therapeutics.

Single-neuron neurodegeneration as a degenerative model for Parkinson’s disease

The positive effect of levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,although it is limited in time and has severe side effects,has encouraged the scientific community to look for new drugs that can stop the neurodegenerative process or even regenerate the neuromelanin-containing dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons.Successful preclinical studies with coenzyme Q10,mitoquinone,isradipine,nilotinib,TCH346,neurturin,zonisamide,deferiprone,prasinezumab,and cinpanemab prompted clinical trials.However,these failed and after more than 50 years levodopa continues to be the key drug in the treatment of the disease,despite its severe side effects after 4–6 years of chronic treatment.The lack of translated successful results obtained in preclinical investigations based on the use of neurotoxins that do not exist in the human body as new drugs for Parkinson’s disease treatment is a big problem.In our opinion,the cause of these failures lies in the experimental animal models involving neurotoxins that do not exist in the human body,such as 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and 6-hydroxydopamine,that induce a very fast,massive and expansive neurodegenerative process,which contrasts with the extremely slow one of neuromelanin-containing dopaminergic neurons.The exceedingly slow progress of the neurodegenerative process of the nigrostriatal neurons in idiopathic Parkinson’s patients is due to(i)a degenerative model in which the neurotoxic effect of an endogenous neurotoxin affects a single neuron,(ii)a neurotoxic event that is not expansive and(iii)the fact that the neurotoxin that triggers the neurodegenerative process is produced inside the neuromelanin-containing dopaminergic neurons.The endogenous neurotoxin that fits this degenerative model involving one single neuron at a time is aminochrome,since it(i)is generated within neuromelanin-containing dopaminergic neurons,(ii)does not cause an expansive neurotoxic effect and(iii)triggers all the mechanisms involved in the neurodegenerative process of the nigrostriatal neurons in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.In conclusion,based on the hypothesis that the neurodegenerative process of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease corresponds to a single-neuron neurodegeneration model,we must search for molecules that increase the expression of the neuroprotective enzymes DT-diaphorase and glutathione transferase M2-2.It has been observed that the activation of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor(erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 pathway is associated with the transcriptional activation of the DT-diaphorase and glutathione transferase genes.

Study of apoptosis pattern of dopaminergic neurons and neuroprotective effect of nicotine in MPTP mouse model

Objective：To investigate the apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons and the protective effect of nicotine in 1-methyl-4-phenyl- 1, 2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine （MPTP）-induced mouse model of Parkinson＇s disease. Methods：The mouse model of Parkinson＇s disease were formed by MPTP （30 mg/kg/d×7, i.p. ）; and the loss and apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons was observed by Tyrosine Hydroxylase（TH） and TUNEL stains.In ＂Nicotime plus MPTP＂ group, mice were pretreated with nicotine before MPTP injection. The putative protective effect of nicotine was analyzed. Results：The number of TH-positive cells decreased during MPTP treatment. Apoptotic neurons began to appear after three injections of MPTP and peaked on the 8th day. In the MPTP-intoxicated mice treated with nicotine, the loss of TH-positive cells was significantly less than that of MPTP- treated group （30 mg/kg/d×7）（P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion：The chronic treatment of MPTP can induce the apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra, and nicotine might have a neuroprotecitve effect on dopaminergic neurons against MPTP toxicity.

Neuroprotective effects of Suhexiang Wan on the in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson’s disease

OBJECTIVE:To examine the role of KSOP1009(a modified formulation of Suhexiang Wan essential oil)in an animal model of Parkinson's disease(PD)induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridine(MPTP)injection.METHODS:Cell toxicity,apoptosis,and reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were analyzed in the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5 Y.After that,changes in animal behavior and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)protein levels in the substantia nigra(SN)of MPTP-injected mice were examined.Three different doses of KSOP1009(30,100,and 300 mg/kg,n=8 for each group)were administered daily for 7 d before MPTP injection and 14 d after MPTP injection,totaling 21 d.RESULTS:MPP+,the active metabolite of MPTP,decreased the viability of SH-SY5 Y cells,whereas KSOP1009 alleviated MPP+-induced cytotoxicity.KSOP1009(10 and 50 mg/m L)reduced MPP+-induced ROS generation compared with the control group.Treatment with 1 m M MPP+increased the percentage of depolarized/live cells,whereas KSOP1009 intake at a dose of 10 mg/m L decreased the percentage of these cells.The mean latency to fall in the rotarod test was reduced in mice treated with MPTP compared with the control group.However,mice receiving three different doses of KSOP1009 performed better than MPTP-treated animals.MPTP-treated mice were more hesitant and took longer to traverse the balance beam than the control animals.In contrast,KSOP1009-treated mice performed significantly better than MPTPtreated mice.Furthermore,the KSOP1009-treated groups had a significantly higher number of TH-positive neurons in the lesioned SN and significantly higher expression of TH in the striatum than the MPTP-treated group.MPTP treatment strongly induced Jun-N-terminal kinase(JNK)activation,whereas KSOP1009 suppressed MPTP-induced JNK activation.In addition,KSOP1009 intake reversed the decrease in the phosphorylation levels of c AMP-response element-binding protein in the brain of MPTP-treated mice.KSOP1009 also restored the decrease in dopaminergic neurons and dopamine levels in the brain of MPTP-treated mice.CONCLUSION:KSOP1009 protected mice against MPTP-induced toxicity by decreasing ROS formation and restoring mitochondrial function.

Neuroprotective Effects of San-Jia-Fu-Mai Decoction: Studies on the in vitro and in vivo Models of Parkinson's Disease

Objective:The objective of this study was to investigate whether 70%aqueous ethanol extract of San-Jia-Fu-Mai decoction extract(SJFMDE)could protect against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium(MPP+)-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced motor function deficits in mice.Materials and Methods:The cell viability,the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),and glutathione(GSH)in the MPP+-treated PC12 cells were measured.Motor function deficits and dopamine(DA)level in the brain striatum and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)-positive cells in substantia nigra pars compacta(SNc)of the MPTP-treated mice were determined.Results:The results showed that SJFMDE could reduce cell death and the levels of ROS and MDA while increase the level of GSH in the MPP+-treated PC12 cells.In addition,in vivo studies showed that oral administration of SJFMDE(3,6,and 12 g/kg)significantly improved the motor function deficits induced by MPTP and enhanced the DA level in the striatum and TH-positive neuronal cells in SNc of the MPTP-treated mice.Conclusions:Our results revealed that SJFMDE possessed neuroprotective effects against neurotoxicity induced by MPP+and motor function deficits induced by MPTP via suppressing oxidative stress and increasing the levels of DA and TH,indicating that SJFMDE might be a promising Chinese medicine formula for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.