Partial protection from the dopaminergic neurotoxin N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine by four different antioxidants in the mouse.
C57 black mice given a single injection of N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), 40 mg/kg, developed marked reduction of striatal dopamine content and loss of dopaminergic neurons in the zona compacta of the substantia nigra. However, pretreatment with any one of four different antioxidants, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid or N-acetylcysteine, significantly decreased MPTP-induced striatal dopamine loss, and alpha-tocopherol prevented neuronal loss in the substantia nigra. Four chemical analogues of MPTP (cinnamaldehyde, N,N-dimethylcinnamylamine, arecoline and 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-isoquinolinediol) were all found to lack dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurotoxicity in the mouse.
D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000187:drug effects; D011725:Pyridines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology
D000975:Antioxidants; D011725:Pyridines; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D000111:Acetylcysteine