Neuroprotective effect of thalidomide on MPTP-induced toxicity.
Thalidomide is a sedative with unique pharmacological properties; studies on epilepsy and brain ischemia have shown intense neuroprotective effects. We analyzed the effect of thalidomide treatment on the neurotoxicity caused by the administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahidropyridine (MPTP) in mice. Thalidomide was administered at two times; before and after the exposure to MPTP. In both circumstances thalidomide improved the neurotoxicity induced by MPTP as seen by a significant raise of the striatal contents of dopamine and simultaneous decrease of monoamine-oxidase-B (MAO-B). These results indicate that in the experimental model of Parkinson's disease the administration of thalidomide improves the functional damage on the nigrostriatal cell substratum as seen by the production of dopamine. This neuroprotective effect seems to be mediated by inhibition of excitotoxicity. Our results suggest that thalidomide could be investigated as potential adjuvant therapy for Parkinson's disease.
Neuroimmunology Unit, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City, Mexico. Electronic address: phg6219@gmail.com.
Guadalupe
G
Palencia
Neuroimmunology Unit, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City, Mexico. Electronic address: egarciainnn@gmail.com.
Esperanza
E
Garcia
Laboratory of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City, Mexico. Electronic address: lau_rico@yahoo.com.
Laura
L
Osorio-Rico
Neuroimmunology Unit, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City, Mexico. Electronic address: trejosolis@yahoo.com.mx.
Cristina
C
Trejo-Solís
Neuroimmunology Unit, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City, Mexico. Electronic address: era_medicine118@hotmail.com.
Angel
A
Escamilla-Ramírez
Neuroimmunology Unit, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City, Mexico. Electronic address: jsotelo@unam.mx.
Julio
J
Sotelo
D000818:Animals; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D013792:Thalidomide; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D004298:Dopamine
1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahidropyridine; Dopamine; Monoamine oxidase B; Parkinson's disease; Thalidomide