GDNF administration induces recovery of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system both in young and aged parkinsonian mice.
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a member of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily and acts as a neurotrophic factor for the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. GDNF was injected stereotaxically into the striatum of young (2 months old) and aged (12 months old) C57BL/6 mice that were treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) 1 week earlier. Immunocytochemical and neurochemical analyses showed significant recovery of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system both in young and in aged mice. Since Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder mainly affecting elderly people, this result demonstrates the potential usefulness of GDNF in treating Parkinson's disease.
Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Medical School, Japan.
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Aoi
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Tomita
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Collins
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Ohmoto
D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D017072:Neostriatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; C495040:Gdnf protein, mouse; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004298:Dopamine