Intraventricular infusion of epidermal growth factor restores dopaminergic pathway in hemiparkinsonian rats.
We assessed the effect of a 35-day delayed intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusion of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the survival and function of the substantia nigra (SN) dopaminergic neurons after a unilateral mechanical transection of rat nigrostriatal pathway. EGF infusion for 28 days resulted in a twofold increase in the number of surviving tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH)-positive SN neurons and a significant increase in ipsilateral striatal TH-positive fiber staining compared to controls at 200 days following the injury. In addition, there was a persistent enhancement of behavioral recovery, as indicated by a reduction in amphetamine-induced rotations. We conclude that EGF exerts a neurotrophic effect on the dopaminergic neurons in this experimental model of parkinsonism.
Institute of Neurology, University of Milan, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Italy.
G
G
Pezzoli
A
A
Zecchinelli
S
S
Ricciardi
R E
RE
Burke
S
S
Fahn
G
G
Scarlato
A
A
Carenzi
D000818:Animals; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008474:Medial Forebrain Bundle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000502:physiology
D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D066246:ErbB Receptors