title: [Optimization of use of levodopa in Parkinson's disease: role of levodopa-carbidopa-entacapone combination].
abstract: Levodopa remains the mainstay treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). Chronic treatment is associated with motor complications (MC) that marred the clinical benefit of levodopa. These problems and experimental data in cell cultures indicating a neurotoxic effect of levodopa have led to the idea of delaying the introduction of levodopa treatment for as long as possible. We here review recent data regarding the mechanism of action of levodopa and its application in clinical practice on the light of the marketing of the combination levodopa-carbidopa- entacapone. Accumulated evidence indicates that MC are mainly the consequence of disease severity governing the degree of dopaminergic depletion and the "pulsatile" dopaminergic stimulation provided by levodopa short plasma half-life. There is no in vivo or clinical evidence of a relevant neurotoxic effect of levodopa. In fact, the recent ELLDOPA study may suggest a neuroprotective effect. Entacapone reduces homocysteine plasma levels which could provide a mechanism to reduce cell death in PD. Currently, the combination levodopa-carbidopa-entacapone is particularly indicated for the treatment of "wearing off" fluctuations. Experimental evidence suggests that early treatment with levodopa-carbidopa-entacapone may substantially ameliorate the incidence of MC. Such a clinical study in "de novo" patients is underway. At present, the combination levodopa-carbidopa-entacapone is indicated when levodopa is judged necessary.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Xeral de Galicia, Santiago de Compostela.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Valldeoriola
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Linazasoro
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Oroz
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Stochi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaamonde
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jenner
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pavon
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Macias
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Luquin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hernandez
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grandas
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gimenez-Roldan
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tolosa
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Obeso
mesh_terms: D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D000818:Animals; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002396:Catechols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D020267:MPTP Poisoning / Q000209:etiology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009570:Nitriles; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D051381:Rats; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D002396:Catechols; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009570:Nitriles; D007980:Levodopa; C071192:entacapone; D002230:Carbidopa; D004298:Dopamine