[Protective effects of triptolide on the lipopolysaccharide-mediated degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra].
OBJECTIVE
To study the protective effects of triptolide (Tri) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra.


METHODS
Forty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: the sham group, the LPS model group, the Tri group and the normal saline group, 10 in each group. Fourteen days later, the apomorphine-induced rotational behavior, the content of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites in the striatum of the injured side, the number of tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH) positive neurons and activation of microglia in rats were observed.


RESULTS
Injection of LPS in substantia nigra could induce cerebral simulated immunoinflammatory reaction, leading to degeneration of dopaminergic neuron and induce ipsilateral directed rotational behavior of rats, which could be improved by Tri. Moreover, Tri could raise the lowered content of DA and its metabolites as well as the TH positive neurons in striatum, and suppress the activation of microglia significantly (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Tri could protect the dopaminergic neurons from degeneration due to the inflammation mediated by LPS through inhibiting the activation of microglia.
Li
Gang
G
Department of Neurology, Xiehe Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022.
Ma
Rong
R
Xu
Ying
Y
D000818:Animals; D004224:Diterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D010616:Phenanthrenes / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000473:pathology*
D004224:Diterpenes; D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010616:Phenanthrenes; C001899:triptolide; D004298:Dopamine