Neuroprotective and neurotoxic roles of levodopa (L-DOPA) in neurodegenerative disorders relating to Parkinson's disease.
Despite its being the most efficacious drug for symptom reversal in Parkinson's disease (PD), there is concern that chronic levodopa (L-DOPA) treatment may be detrimental. In this paper we review the potential for L-DOPA to 1). autoxidize from a catechol to a quinone, and 2). generate other reactive oxygen species (ROS). Overt toxicity and neuroprotective effects of L-DOPA, both in vivo and in vitro, are described in the context of whether L-DOPA may accelerate or delay progression of human Parkinson's disease.
Kostrzewa
R M
RM
Department of Pharmacology, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee 37614, USA. kostrzewa@etsu.edu
Kostrzewa
J P
JP
Brus
R
R
D000818:Animals; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D002396:Catechols / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D002396:Catechols; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009498:Neurotoxins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D007980:Levodopa; D004298:Dopamine