Paroxetine prevents loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons by inhibiting brain inflammation and oxidative stress in an experimental model of Parkinson's disease.
The present study examined whether the antidepressant paroxetine promotes the survival of nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of Parkinson's disease. MPTP induced degeneration of nigrostriatal DA neurons and glial activation as visualized by tyrosine hydroxylase, macrophage Ag complex-1, and/or glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity. Real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry showed upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, activation of microglial NADPH oxidase and astroglial myeloperoxidase, and subsequent reactive oxygen species production and oxidative DNA damage in the MPTP-treated substantia nigra. Treatment with paroxetine prevented degeneration of nigrostriatal DA neurons, increased striatal dopamine levels, and improved motor function. This neuroprotection afforded by paroxetine was associated with the suppression of astroglial myeloperoxidase expression and/or NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species production and reduced expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, and inducible NO synthase, by activated microglia. The present findings show that paroxetine may possess anti-inflammatory properties and inhibit glial activation-mediated oxidative stress, suggesting that paroxetine and its analogues may have therapeutic value in the treatment of aspects of Parkinson's disease related to neuroinflammation.
Chung
Young C
YC
Neuroscience Graduate Program, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea.
Kim
Sang R
SR
Jin
Byung K
BK
D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D000818:Animals; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D017374:Paroxetine; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; D009195:Peroxidase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D019255:NADPH Oxidases; D004298:Dopamine