Protective effect of estrogen on apoptosis in a cell culture model of Parkinson's disease.
OBJECTIVE
The protective effect of estrogen on the neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD) is unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of estrogen on the apoptosis and dopaminergic function on a cultured cell model of PD.


METHODS
The PD model was established by addition of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) to PC12 cell culture. Estrogen was added to cell groups with MPP+ (Estrogen+MPP+), and without MPP+ (Estrogen only group). Cell viability, content of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), apoptosis ratio, expression of apoptosis-suppression protein Bcl-x and apoptosis-acceleration protein IL-1 beta converting enzyme (ICE) were measured.


RESULTS
Cell viability in the Estrogen+MPP+ group was similar to the control group but was higher than in the MPP+ group (P < 0.05). The apoptosis ratios in the Estrogen+MPP+ group (33.6%), and the control group (31.3%), were also similar, but it was lower than in the MPP+ group (63.5%, P < 0.05). Concentrations of Bcl-x were higher in the Estrogen+MPP+ group, whereas ICE concentrations were lower than in the MPP+ group (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Estrogen suppresses apoptosis and improves cell viability in MPP+ induced injuries in the PC12 cells. The beneficial effects of estrogen on the PD model are due to the suppression of pro-apoptotic protein ICE, and stimulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-x.
Li
Xue-Li
XL
Department of Neurology, Liaocheng People's Hospital and Liaocheng Clinical School of Taishan Medical College, Liaocheng Shandong, 252000, PR China.
Cheng
Wei-Dong
WD
Li
Juan
J
Guo
Xian-Ling
XL
Guo
Cun-Ju
CJ
Meng
Xian-Hui
XH
Sun
Sheng-Gang
SG
Wang
Le-Xin
LX
D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020170:Caspase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006540:Herbicides / Q000633:toxicity; D008954:Models, Biological; D016716:PC12 Cells; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D051381:Rats; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D051020:bcl-X Protein / Q000378:metabolism
C494813:Bcl2l1 protein, rat; D004967:Estrogens; D006540:Herbicides; D051020:bcl-X Protein; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D020170:Caspase 1; D015655:1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium