Francesca Vaglini

Nicotine prevents experimental Parkinsonism in rodents and induces striatal increase of neurotrophic factors

Abstract: The repeated finding of an apparent protective effect of cigarette smoking on the risk of Parkinsons disease is one of the few consistent results in the epidemiology of this disorder. Among the numerous substances that originate from tobacco smoke, nicotine is by far the most widely studied. Nicotine is a natural alkaloid that has considerable stimulatory effects on the CNS. Its effects on the CNS are mediated by the activation of neuronal heteromeric acetylcholine‐gated ion channel receptors (nAChRs, also termed nicotinic acetylcholine receptors). In the present study, we describe the neuroprotective effects of (−)‐nicotine in two animal models of parkinsonism: diethyldithiocarbamate‐induced enhancement of 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine toxicity in mice and methamphetamine‐induced neurotoxicity in rats and mice. The neuroprotective effect of (−)‐nicotine was very similar to that of the noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist (+)‐MK‐801. In parallel experiments, we found that (−)‐nicotine induces the basic fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) and the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in rat striatum. The effect of (−)‐nicotine on the induction of FGF‐2 was prevented by the nAChR antagonist mecamylamine. We also found that (+)‐MK‐801 was able to induce FGF‐2 in the striatum. As trophic factors have been reported to be neuroprotective for dopaminergic cells, our data suggest that the increase in neurotrophic factors is a possible mechanism by which (−)‐nicotine protects from experimental parkinsonisms.

MK-801 Prevents 1-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridine-Induced Parkinsonism in Primates

Abstract: In cynomologus monkeys, systemic administration of MK‐801, a noncompetitive antagonist for the N‐methyl‐4‐aspartate receptor, prevented the development of the parkinsonian syndrome induced by the neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). MK‐801 also attenuated dopamine depletion in the caudate and putamen and protected dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra from the degeneration induced by the neurotoxin. Nevertheless, 7 days after MPTP administration in the caudate and putamen of monkeys also receiving MK‐801, the levels of toxic l‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium were even higher than those measured in monkeys receiving MPTP alone. This indicates that the protective action of MK‐801 is not related to MPTP metabolism and strongly suggests that, in primates, the excitatory amino acids could play a crucial role in the mechanism of the selective neuronal death induced by MPTP.

Striatal increase of neurotrophic factors as a mechanism of nicotine protection in experimental parkinsonism.

SummaryThe repeated finding of an apparent protective effect of cigarette smoking on the risk of Parkinsons disease is one of the few consistent results in the epidemiology of this disorder. Among the innumerous substances that originate from tobacco smoke, nicotine is by far the most widely studied, and the most likely candidate for a protective effect against neuronal degeneration in Parkinsons disease. Nicotine is a natural alkaloid that has considerable stimulatory effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Its effects on the CNS are mediated by the activation of neuronal heteromeric acetylcholine-gated ion channel receptors (nAChR, also termed nicotinic acetylcholine receptors). In the present study, we describe the neuroprotective effects of (−)nicotine in two animal models of parkinsonism: the diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC)-induced enhancement of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) toxicity in mice, and the methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in rats and mice. In parallel experiments, we found that (−)nicotine induces the basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rat striatum. As FGF-2 and BDNF have been reported to be neuroprotective for dopaminergic cells, our data indicate that the increase in neurotrophic factors is a possible mechanism by which (−)nicotine protects from experimental parkinsonisms. Moreover, they suggest that nAChR agonists could be of potential benefit in the progression of Parkinsons disease.

Involvement of cytochrome P450 2E1 in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

Elucidation of the biochemical steps leading to the 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)‐induced degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) pathway has provided new clues to the pathophysiology of Parkinsons disease. In line with the enhancement of MPTP toxicity by diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), here we demonstrate how other cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1 inhibitors, such as diallyl sulphide (DAS) and phenylethylisothiocyanate (PIC), also potentiate the selective DA neurone degeneration in C57/bl mice. In addition, we show that CYP 2E1 is present in the brain and in the basal ganglia of this mouse strain, as measured by RT–PCR, western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. A kinetic analysis of MPTP and its metabolites, by means of the microdialysis technique in the striatum, indicates that no detoxification metabolic pathway is affected by any of these inhibitors. This does not rule out, however, that an undetected detoxification pathway involving CYP 2E1 is operating. In order to provide direct evidence for this isozyme involvement, CYP 2E1 knockout mice were challenged with MPTP or the combined treatment. Here we show that these transgenic mice have a low sensitivity to MPTP alone, similar to their wild‐type counterparts, suggesting that it is likely that transgenic mice compensate for the missing enzyme. However, DDC pretreatment completely fails to enhance MPTP toxicity in CYP 2E1 knockout mice, whereas this enhancement is regularly present in wild‐type animals. This study indicates that the occurrence of CYP 2E1 in C57/bl mouse brain is relevant to MPTP toxicity, and suggests that this isozyme may have a detoxificant role related to the efflux transporter of the toxin.

Human dental pulp stem cells protect mouse dopaminergic neurons against MPP+ or rotenone

Parkinsons disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive death of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons that results in a regional loss of striatal dopamine (DA) levels. Dental pulp contains ex vivo-expandable cells called dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), with the capacity to differentiate into multiple cell lineages. More interestingly, due to their embryonic origin, DPSCs express neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor and glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of DPSCs against MPP+ (2.5, 5, and 10 μM) and rotenone (0.25, 0.5 and 1 μM) in an in vitro model of PD, using an indirect co-culture system with mesencephalic cell cultures. When mesencephalic cultures were challenged with MPP+ or rotenone, in the presence of DPSCs a statistically significant protective effect was observed at all the tested doses in terms of DA uptake. DPSCs protective effect on DA neurons was also confirmed by immunocytochemistry: an increased number of spared tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)+ cells was observed in co-culture conditions compared to controls, and neurons showed longer processes in comparison with mesencephalic cells grown without DPSCs. In conclusion, the co-culture with DPSCs significantly attenuated MPP+ or rotenone-induced toxicity in primary cultures of mesencephalic neurons. Considering that the direct contact between the two cell types was prevented, it can be speculated that neuroprotection could be due to soluble factors such as BDNF and NGF, released by DPSCs. Blocking BDNF and NGF with neutralizing antibodies, the neuroprotecting effect of DPSCs was completely abolished. Therefore DPSCs can be viewed as possible candidates for studies on cell-based therapy in neurodegenerative disorders.

Species differences in the role of excitatory amino acids in experimental parkinsonism

The present review discusses species differences in relation to the effects produced by the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP); in particular, it focuses on recent evidence regarding the role of excitatory amino acids in experimental parkinsonism. The main aim of the review is to provide a phylogenetic perspective which may serve as a useful tool to study Parkinsons disease in rodents. Excitotoxicity might represent the final common pathway on which the actions of different neurotoxins, selectively directed towards nigrostriatal dompaminergic neurons, converge. This is clearly demonstrated in methamphetamine- and 6-dihydroxy-dopamine-induced parkinsonism. The role of excitotoxicity in the mechanism of action of MPTP is less clear. Although there are several species differences for MPTP it is possible to obtain in mice the same effects induced in MPTP-treated primates by combining acetaldehyde or diethyldithiocarbamate with MPTP administration. When mice are administered these combined treatments, the onset of experimental parkinsonism can be prevented using the same pharmacological agents (i.e. glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonists) that are effective in primates.

(+)MK-801 prevents the DDC-induced enhancement of MPTP toxicity in mice

In order to reach deeper insight into the mechanism of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC)-induced enhancement of MPTP toxicity in mice, MK-801, a non-competitive antagonist of NMDA receptors, has been used as a tool to study the role of excitatory amino acids. In agreement with previous reports, (+)MK-801 did not significantly affect either striatal dopamine (DA) or tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH) activity in MPTP-treated animals. On the contrary (+)MK-801, but not (-)MK-801 significantly reduced the DDC + MPTP-induced fall in striatal DA and TH activity. A similar preventing effect on DA metabolites (DOPAC and HVA) and HVA/DA ratio was observed. The number of TH+ neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) of (+)MK-801-pretreated mice was not significantly different from that of control animals, indicating that this treatment specifically antagonized the extensive DDC-induced lesion of dopaminergic cell bodies in this brain area. (+)MK-801 treatment did not affect the DDC-induced changes of striatal MPP+ levels, suggesting that the observed antagonism of MK-801 against DDC is not due to MPP+ kinetic modifications. Pretreatment with the MAO-B inhibitor, L-deprenyl, or with the DA uptake blocker, GBR 12909, completely prevented the marked DA depletion elicited by DDC + MPTP within the striatum. Both treatments also protected from the fall in DA metabolites and TH activity as well. This indicates that DDC-induced potentiation is dependent upon MPP+ production and its uptake by the dopaminergic nerve terminals. All these findings suggest that NMDA receptors play a crucial role in the DDC-induced enhancement of MPTP toxicity.

Clonidine suppresses 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced reductions of striatal dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase activity in mice.

Abstract: Recent findings have shown that excitatory amino acid may be involved in 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) toxicity. At the same time, evidence is accumulating that the endogenous nor‐adrenergic system plays a protective role in MPTP‐induced striatal dopamine (DA) depletion and nigral dopaminergic cell death. Recently, α2‐adrenoceptors located on glutamatergic axons have been shown to inhibit glutamate overflow. In this study, we evaluated the effects of an α2‐agonist (clonidine) and an α2‐antagonist (yohimbine) on MPTP‐induced striatal DA depletion and tyrosine hydroxylase activity reduction. We show that clonidine is able to prevent the neurotoxicity of MPTP in mice. To exert this effect, clonidine (0.5 mg/kg) must be administered at least twice (30 min before and 30 min after MPTP). Administration of another α2‐agonist (detomidine, 0.3 mg/kg) attenuated the neurotoxicity induced by MPTP. We provide evidence that the protective effect obtained with clonidine was not due to decreased striatal content of 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+). We also show that yohimbine, which is a classic α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist with low affinity for imidazoline receptors, produced by itself an enhancement of MPTP toxicity and was able to block the protective effect of clonidine. These data raise the possibility that α2‐adrenoceptor may modulate the susceptibility of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway to neurotoxicity.

Bright light exposure reduces TH-positive dopamine neurons: implications of light pollution in Parkinson's disease epidemiology.

This study explores the effect of continuous exposure to bright light on neuromelanin formation and dopamine neuron survival in the substantia nigra. Twenty-one days after birth, Sprague–Dawley albino rats were divided into groups and raised under different conditions of light exposure. At the end of the irradiation period, rats were sacrificed and assayed for neuromelanin formation and number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons in the substantia nigra. The rats exposed to bright light for 20 days or 90 days showed a relatively greater number of neuromelanin-positive neurons. Surprisingly, TH-positive neurons decreased progressively in the substantia nigra reaching a significant 29% reduction after 90 days of continuous bright light exposure. This decrease was paralleled by a diminution of dopamine and its metabolite in the striatum. Remarkably, in preliminary analysis that accounted for population density, the age and race adjusted Parkinsons disease prevalence significantly correlated with average satellite-observed sky light pollution.

Effects of Different Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields on Lymphocyte Activation: At which Cellular Level?

It has been shown that low-frequency electromagnetic fields may inhibit or enhance the lymphocyte response to many mitogens. How this happens is not known, and many reports suggest that alterations of surface receptors may be involved. Results presented here indicate that cellular activation is inhibited by a high-intensity EMF after the early phases of signal transduction, but it may be enhanced by a low-intensity EMF.