title: Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor improves Parkinson's disease associated with co-morbid depression: an experimental exploratory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disease characterized by muscle and movement disorder, often associated with depression. PD is very difficult to treat. Hence, the present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of G-CSF in PD associated with depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult Wistar male rats weighing about 180-250 g were selected and divided into five groups in parallel designed method namely; control group (n = 5); sham operated group (n = 5); Vehicle group (n = 5); G-CSF group (70 μg/kg, s.c.) (n = 5) and L-DOPA group (n = 5). The rats were treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) on day 0 and then treatment was continued for 14 day of L-DOPA/carbidopa, whereas G-CSF (70 μg/kg, s.c.) was given from day 1 to 6. Thereafter, adhesive removal and forced swim tests were conducted to evaluate the behavioral outcome of G-CSF treatment. The finding was correlated and analyzed with Nissl staining findings for the final conclusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The behavioral parameters were assessed and found to be ameliorate the symptoms of Parkinson's and reduced the depression like behavior in PD. The histological findings were supported the behavioral findings and showed pathological improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As a preliminary work, the present study first time suggested that G-CSF have a potential role in PD and associated depression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prakash
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Kanwaljit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chopra
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Bikash
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Medhi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications*; D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D016179:Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
keywords: 6-hydroxydopamine; Parkinson's disease; depression; forced swim test; granulocyte-colony stimulating factor