title: Involvement of Mu Opioid Receptor Signaling in the Protective Effect of Opioid against 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells Apoptosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The neuroprotective role of opioid morphine against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cell death has been demonstrated. However, the exact mechanism(s) underlying such neuroprotection, especially the role of subtype receptors, has not yet been fully clarified.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we investigated the effects of different opioid agonists on 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line as an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease. Cell damage was induced by 150 μM 6-OHDA and the cells viability was examined by MTT assay. Intracellular calcium, reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed by fluorescence spectrophotometry method. Immunoblot technique was used to evaluate cytochrome-c and activated caspase-3 as biochemical markers of apoptosis induction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data showed that 6-OHDA caused significant cell damage, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species and calcium levels as well as activated caspase-3 and cytochrome-c release. Incubation of SH-SY5Y cells with μ-opioid agonists, morphine and DAMGO, but not with δ-opioid agonist, DADLE, elicited protective effect and reduced biochemical markers of cell damage and death.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that μ-opioid receptors signaling participate in the opioid neuroprotective effects against 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.; Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Shahrzad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eftekhar-Vaghefi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Esmaeili-Mahani
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Gorgan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Elyasi
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abbasnejad
keywords: 6-hydroxydopamine; Apoptosis; DAMGO; Morphine; SH-SY5Y cells; μ-opioid receptors