title: Comparative studies on the mechanisms of paraquat and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+) cytotoxicity.
abstract: 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+) is the putative toxic metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and is structurally similar to the herbicide paraquat (PQ++). We have therefore compared the effects of MPP+ and PQ++ on a well characterized experimental model, namely isolated rat hepatocytes. PQ++ generates reactive oxygen species within cells by redox cycling and its toxicity to hepatocytes was potentiated by pretreatment with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), an inhibitor of glutathione reductase. In BCNU-treated cells, PQ++ caused GSH depletion, lipid peroxidation and cell death. These cytotoxic effects were prevented by the antioxidant N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD) and the iron-chelating agent desferrioxamine. MPP+ also caused GSH depletion in BCNU-treated hepatocytes but its cytotoxicity was not markedly affected by BCNU, nor was it accompanied by significant lipid peroxidation. DPPD and desferrioxamine also failed to prevent MPP+-induced cell death. We conclude that the production of active oxygen species is likely to play a major role in PQ++ cytotoxicity, while MPP+-induced cell damage may involve additional, more important toxic mechanisms.
mesh_terms: D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium; D000818:Animals; D002330:Carmustine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D005609:Free Radicals; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010100:Oxygen; D010269:Paraquat; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D005609:Free Radicals; D011726:Pyridinium Compounds; D005978:Glutathione; D010269:Paraquat; D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium; D010100:Oxygen; D002330:Carmustine