title: Protective efficacy of P7C3-S243 in the 6-hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are currently no therapeutic options for patients with Parkinson's disease that prevent or slow the death of dopaminergic neurons. We have recently identified the novel P7C3 class of neuroprotective molecules that blocks neuron cell death.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine whether treatment with highly active members of the P7C3 series blocks dopaminergic neuron cell death and associated behavioral and neurochemical deficits in the rat 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model of Parkinson's disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  After unilateral injection of 6-OHDA into the median forebrain bundle, rats were assessed for behavioral function in the open field, cylinder test, and amphetamine-induced circling test. Thereafter, their brains were subjected to neurochemical and immunohistochemical analysis of dopaminergic neuron survival. Analysis was conducted as a function of treatment with P7C3 compounds, with administration initiated either before or after 6-OHDA exposure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Animals administered P7C3-A20 or P7C3-S243, two of the most advanced agents in the P7C3 series of neuroprotective compounds, both before and after 6-OHDA exposure showed evidence of protective efficacy in all measures. When P7C3-S243 administration was initiated after 6-OHDA exposure, rats also showed protective efficacy in all measures, which included blocking dopaminergic neuron cell death in ipsilateral substantia nigra pars compacta, preservation of dopamine and its metabolites in ipsilateral striatum, and preservation of normal motor behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The P7C3 series of compounds may form the basis for developing new therapeutic agents for slowing or preventing progression of Parkinson's disease.
authors.affiliation: Graduate program of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: De Jesús-Cortés
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Adam D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Jeremiah K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Britt
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: DeMarco
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Mayralis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Jesús-Cortés
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stuebing
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Jacinth
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Naidoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA; Department of Free Radical and Radiation Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vázquez-Rosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morlock
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Noelle S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ready
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Nandakumar S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Narayanan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA; Department of Free Radical and Radiation Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA; The Iowa City Department of Veterans Affairs, Iowa City, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Pieper