title: Neuroprotection by freshwater clam extract against the neurotoxin MPTP in C57BL/6 mice.
abstract: Freshwater clams are a popular health food in Asia and are traditionally used to prevent hepatic inflammation. Freshwater clam extract (FCE) inhibits inflammatory responses in activated macrophages by reducing the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells. In this study, we used a mouse model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropypridine (MPTP; a neurotoxin)-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) to demonstrate the protective effect of FCE on dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Locomotor behavior and tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemical staining indicated that FCE significantly inhibited MPTP-induced dopaminergic cell loss in the SNpc. Glial fibrillary acidic protein immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that astroglial activation and tumor necrosis factor alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and interleukin 1 beta production were significantly inhibited by FCE. The expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and nerve growth factor were markedly increased by FCE action against MPTP-induced toxicity. FCE showed a neuroprotective effect in a MPTP-induced PD model, which might be correlated with anti-inflammation and the stimulation of neurotrophic factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology and Animal Science, College of Bioresources, National Ilan University, Yilan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cho-Chen
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology and Animal Science, College of Bioresources, National Ilan University, Yilan, Taiwan; Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Kuang Tien General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, College of Medicine and Nursing, Hung Kuang University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Muh-Shi
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology and Animal Science, College of Bioresources, National Ilan University, Yilan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuo-Feng
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology and Animal Science, College of Bioresources, National Ilan University, Yilan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Wei-Jung
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology and Animal Science, College of Bioresources, National Ilan University, Yilan, Taiwan. Electronic address: lincc@niu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Chai-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049872:Bivalvia; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D020267:MPTP Poisoning / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D045442:Rotarod Performance Test; D013378:Substantia Nigra / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D014446:Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase; D004298:Dopamine
keywords: Freshwater clam extract; Inflammation; MPTP; Neuroprotection; Neurotrophic factor; Parkinson’s disease