Lutein protects dopaminergic neurons against MPTP-induced apoptotic death and motor dysfunction by ameliorating mitochondrial disruption and oxidative stress.
OBJECTIVE
Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis plays an important role in various neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), the most widely used neurotoxin mimics the symptoms of PD by inhibiting mitochondrial complex I that stimulates excessive intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and finally leads to mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis. Lutein, a carotenoid of xanthophyll family, is found abundantly in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale and in egg yolk, animal fat and human eye retinal macula. Increasing evidence indicates that lutein has offers benefits against neuronal damages during diabetic retinopathy, ischemia and AD by virtue of its mitochondrial protective, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.


METHODS
Male C57BL/6 mice (23-26 g) were randomized and grouped in to Control, MPTP, and Lutein treated groups.


RESULTS
Lutein significantly reversed the loss of nigral dopaminergic neurons by increasing the striatal dopamine level in mice. Moreover, lutein-ameliorated MPTP induced mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and motor abnormalities. In addition, lutein repressed the MPTP-induced neuronal damage/apoptosis by inhibiting the activation of pro-apoptotic markers (Bax, caspases-3, 8 and 9) and enhancing anti-apoptotic marker (Bcl-2) expressions.


CONCLUSIONS
Our current results revealed that lutein possessed protection on dopaminergic neurons by enhancing antioxidant defense and diminishing mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptotic death, suggesting the potential benefits of lutein for PD treatment.
a Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science , Annamalai University , Annamalai Nagar 608 002 , Tamilnadu , India.
Jagatheesan
J
Nataraj
a Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science , Annamalai University , Annamalai Nagar 608 002 , Tamilnadu , India.
Thamilarasan
T
Manivasagam
a Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science , Annamalai University , Annamalai Nagar 608 002 , Tamilnadu , India.
Arokiasamy Justin
AJ
Thenmozhi
b Department of Food Science and Nutrition , CAMS, Sultan Qaboos University , Muscat , Oman.
Musthafa Mohammed
MM
Essa
D000818:Animals; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004298:Dopamine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020267:MPTP Poisoning / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D004298:Dopamine; D014975:Lutein
Apoptosis and lutein; Mitochondrial dysfunction; Oxidative stress; Parkinson's disease