title: Effects of ningdong granule on DA, DRD2, and HVA in a rat model of Tourette's syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ningdong granule is a traditional Chinese medicine preparation for the treatment of Tourette's syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four rats were randomly assigned to a control group and three experimental groups, respectively. Rat models of Tourette's syndrome were established via intraperitoneal injection of apomorphine (Apo). The rats in the experimental groups were subsequently intragastrically injected with haloperidol at 10 mg/kg (haloperidol group), ningdong granule at 370 mg/kg (NDG group), and normal saline (0.9%) at 10 mL/kg (Apo group), respectively. Rat behaviors were observed and recorded on a daily basis. After 12 w, all rats were sacrificed, and sera and striatal tissues were harvested. Homovanillic acid levels in sera, as well as dopamine and dopamine D2 receptor mRNA expression in the striatum, were measured to determine possible mechanisms of Ningdong granule on the dopamine system in a rat model ofTourette's syndrome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following intervention, stereotype actions of the Tourette's syndrome rats were significantly inhibited in the haloperidol and NDG groups, respectively (P < 0.01). Homovanillic levels were significantly greater in the haloperidol and NDG groups, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, dopamine levels were significantly less in the NDG group (P < 0.01), and DRD2 mRNA expression was significantly reduced in the haloperidol and NDG groups, respectively (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results demonstrated that Ning-dong granule effectively inhibited stereotype actions and Tourette's syndrome symptoms by promoting dopamine metabolism, reducing dopamine levels in the striatum, increasing homovanillic acid content in sera, and reducing mRNA expression of DRD2 in the striatum.
authors.affiliation: TCM College of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, China.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: Hai-yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: An-yuan
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000737:chemistry; D004298:Dopamine / Q000032:analysis*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2 / Q000235:genetics*; D013239:Stereotyped Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017448:Receptors, Dopamine D2; C545316:ningdong; D004298:Dopamine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid