Nicotine, but not cotinine, partially protects dopaminergic neurons against MPTP-induced degeneration in mice.
In order to analyze the putative neuroprotective role of nicotine and cotinine in parkinsonian syndromes, these two compounds were administered in male C57Bl6 mice for 4 weeks. On day 8, four injections of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6,-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) were administered. MPTP intoxication induced a 50% loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and a 45% reduction in dopaminergic fibers in the striatum. Administration of cotinine did not affect MPTP toxicity in the nigrostriatal system but chronic nicotine treatment showed a slight protection (15%) of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons against MPTP.
Parain
K
K
INSERM U289, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, 47 Bd de l'Hôpital, 75651 Cedex 13, Paris, France
Marchand
V
V
Dumery
B
B
Hirsch
E
E
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003367:Cotinine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D017072:Neostriatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009538:Nicotine; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D003367:Cotinine; D004298:Dopamine