Jörg B. Schulz

Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase by 7-nitroindazole protects against MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in mice.

Abstract: Several studies suggest that nitric oxide (NO•) contributes to cell death following activation of NMDA receptors in cultured cortical, hippocampal, and striatal neurons. In the present study we investigated whether 7‐nitroindazole (7‐NI), a specific neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, can block dopaminergic neurotoxicity seen in mice after systemic administration of MPTP. 7‐NI dose‐dependently protected against MPTP‐induced dopamine depletions using two different dosing regimens of MPTP that produced varying degrees of dopamine depletion. At 50 mg/kg of 7‐NI there was almost complete protection in both paradigms. Similar effects were seen with MPTP‐induced depletions of both homovanillic acid and 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid. 7‐NI had no significant effect on dopamine transport in vitro and on monoamine oxidase B activity both in vitro and in vivo. One mechanism by which NO• is thought to mediate its toxicity is by interacting with superoxide radical to form peroxynitrite (ONOO−), which then may nitrate tyrosine residues. Consistent with this hypothesis, MPTP neurotoxicity in mice resulted in a significant increase in the concentration of 3‐nitrotyrosine, which was attenuated by treatment with 7‐NI. Our results suggest that NO• plays a role in MPTP neurotoxicity, as well as novel therapeutic strategies for Parkinsons disease.

3‐Nitropropionic Acid Neurotoxicity Is Attenuated in Copper/Zinc Superoxide Dismutase Transgenic Mice

Abstract: The mitochondrial toxin 3‐nitropropionic acid (3‐NP) produces selective striatal lesions in both experimental animals and humans. The pathogenesis of the lesions involves secondary excitotoxicity that may then lead to free radical generation. To test this further we examined the effects of 3‐NP in both transgenic (Tg) mice that carry the complete sequence for the human copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene as well as non‐Tg littermate controls. The Tg‐SOD mice showed a pronounced attenuation of Nissl‐stained striatal lesions compared with non‐Tg mice. Systemic administration of 3‐NP resulted in production of hydroxyl free radicals as assessed by the conversion of salicylate to 2,3‐ and 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid. This production was attenuated significantly in Tg‐SOD mice. In a similar way, 3‐NP produced significant increases in 3‐nitrotyrosine/tyrosine, a marker for peroxynitrite‐mediated damage, which were significantly attenuated in Tg‐SOD mice. These results support that oxygen free radicals and peroxynitrite play an important role in the pathogenesis of 3‐NP neurotoxicity.

The role of mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal nitric oxide in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases

Excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction and free radical induced oxidative damage have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several different neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Huntington’s disease. Much of the interest in the association of neurodegeneration with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage emerged from animal studies using mitochondrial toxins. Within mitochondria l-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), the active metabolite of l-methyl-4-phenyl-l,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), acts to inhibit NADH-coenzyme Q reductase (complex I) of the electron transport chain. MPTP produces Parkinsonism in humans, primates, and mice. Similarly, lesions produced by the reversible inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase (complex II), malonate, and the irreversible inhibitor, 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), closely resemble the histologic, neurochemical and clinical features of HD in both rats and non-human primates. The interruption of oxidative phosphorylation results in decreased levels of ATP. A consequence is partial neuronal depolarization and secondary activation of voltage-dependent NMD A receptors, which may result in excitotoxic neuronal cell death (secondary excitotoxicity). The increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration leads to an actiation of Ca2+ dependent enzymes, including the constitutive neuronal nitric oxide synthase (cnNOS) which produces NO-. NO- may react with the Superoxide anion to form peroxynitrite. We show that systemic administration of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), a relatively specific inhibitor of cnNOS in vivo, attenuates lesions produced by striatal malonate injections or systemic treatment with 3-NP or MPTP. Furthermore 7-NI attenuated increases in lactate production and hydroxyl radical and 3-nitrotyrosine generation in vivo, which may be a consequence of peroxynitrite formation. Our results suggest that neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitors may be useful in the treatment of neurologic diseases in which excitotoxic mechanisms play a role. (Mol Cell Biochem 174: 193–197, 1997)

Neuroprotective strategies for treatment of lesions produced by mitochondrial toxins : Implications for neurodegenerative diseases

Neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases may involve energy impairment leading to secondary excitotoxicity, and free radical generation. Potential therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases therefore include glutamate release blockers, excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists, agents that improve mitochondrial function, and free radical scavengers. In the present study we examined whether these strategies either alone or in combination had neuroprotective effects against striatal lesions produced by mitochondrial toxins. The glutamate release blockers lamotrigine and BW1003C87 significantly attenuated lesions produced by intrastriatal administration of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium. Lamotrigine significantly attenuated lesions produced by systemic administration of 3-nitropropionic acid. Memantine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist, protected against malonate induced striatal lesions. We previously found that coenzyme Q10 and nicotinamide, and the free radical spin trap n-tert-butyl-alpha-(2-sulfophenyl)-nitrone (S-PBN) dose-dependently protect against lesions produced by intrastriatal injection of malonate. In the present study we found that the combination of MK-801 (dizocipiline) with coenzyme Q10 exerted additive neuroprotective effects against malonate. Lamotrigine with coenzyme Q10 was more effective than coenzyme Q10 alone. The combination of nicotinamide with S-PBN was more effective than nicotinamide alone. These results provide further evidence that glutamate release inhibitors and N-acetyl-D-aspartate antagonists can protect against secondary excitotoxic lesions in vivo. Furthermore, they show that combinations of agents which act at sequential steps in the neurodegenerative process can produce additive neuroprotective effects. These findings suggest that combinations of therapies to improve mitochondrial function, to block excitotoxicity and to scavenge free radicals may be useful in treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Involvement of oxidative stress in 3-nitropropionic acid neurotoxicity.

3-Nitroproprionic acid (3-NP) is a plant mycotoxin which produces selective striatal lesions in both experimental animals and in man. We previously found evidence that its neurotoxicity may be mediated by a secondary excitotoxic mechanism. In the present study we examined whether oxidative stress plays a role in the neurotoxicity of 3-NP in vivo. We examined whether the free radical spin traps alpha-phenyl-n-tert-butyl-nitrone (PBN), n-tert-butyl-alpha-(2-sulfophenyl)-nitrone (S-PBN) or 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-n-oxide (DMPO) could attenuate the neurotoxicity of 3-NP. Striatal lesions produced by systemic administration of 3-NP were protected by pretreatment with DMPO, but the toxicity of 3-NP was increased by PBN or S-PBN pretreatment. The content of 3-NP in the plasma was increased by S-PBN, but not by DMPO consistent with an effect of S-PBN on 3-NP metabolism. Lesions produced by systemic administration of 3-NP increased the production of hydroxyl free radicals (OH) in the striatum as assessed by the conversion of salicylate to 2,3 and 2,5 dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA). These results provide direct evidence that free radicals play a substantial role in the neurotoxicity of 3-NP induced neuronal injury.

Coenzyme Q10 and nicotinamide and a free radical spin trap protect against MPTP neurotoxicity

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) produces Parkinsonism in both experimental animals and in man. MPTP is metabolized to 1-methyl-4-phenylpridinium, an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I. MPTP administration produces ATP depletions in vivo, which may lead to secondary excitotoxicity and free radical generation. If this is the case then agents which improve mitochondrial function or free radical scavengers should attenuate MPTP neurotoxicity. In the present experiments three regimens of MPTP administration produced varying degrees of striatal dopamine depletion. A combination of coenzyme Q10 and nicotinamide protected against both mild and moderate depletion of dopamine. In the MPTP regimen which produced mild dopamine depletion nicotinamide or the free radical spin trap N-tert-butyl-alpha-(2-sulfophenyl)-nitrone were also effective. There was no protection with a MPTP regimen which produced severe dopamine depletion. These results show that agents which improve mitochondrial energy production (coenzyme Q10 and nicotinamide) and free radical scavengers can attenuate mild to moderate MPTP neurotoxicity.

NGF, BDNF and NT-5, but not NT-3 protect against MPP+ toxicity and oxidative stress in neonatal animals.

A growing body of evidence suggests that neurotrophic factors can protect neurons against neuronal death. In the present study we examined whether systemic administration of members of the neurotrophin family, nerve growth factor (NGF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) and neurotrophin 5 (NT-5) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) could protect against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) induced striatal damage in neonatal rats. Systemic administration of NGF, BDNF and NT-5 produced significant neuroprotective effects, whereas NT-3 was ineffective. Systemic administration of bFGF had significant neuroprotective effects as assessed by T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and measurements of n-acetylaspartate and lactate using chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging. Systemic administration of NGF, BDNF and bFGF, but not NT-3 attenuated MPP+ induced increases in hydroxyl radical generation as assessed by the conversion of salicylate to 2,3- or 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA). These results show that systemic administration of several neurotrophins and bFGF can attenuate neuronal damage induced by chemical hypoxia in vivo by a mechanism which may involve attenuation of oxidative stress.

Striatal Malonate Lesions Are Attenuated in Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Knockout Mice

Abstract: Intrastriatal administration of the reversible succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor malonate produces both energy depletion and striatal lesions by a secondary excitotoxic mechanism. To investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO•) in the pathogenesis of the lesions we examined malonate toxicity in mice in which the genes for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) or endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were disrupted. Malonate striatal lesions were significantly attenuated in the nNOS mutant mice, and they were significantly increased in the eNOS mutant mice. Malonate‐induced increases in levels of 2,3‐ and 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid/salicylate, markers of hydroxyl radical generation, were significantly attenuated in the nNOS knockout mice. Malonate‐induced increases in 3‐nitrotyrosine, a marker for peroxynitrite‐mediated damage, were blocked in the nNOS mice, whereas a significant increase occurred in the eNOS mice. These findings show that NO• produced by nNOS results in generation of peroxynitrite, which plays a role in malonate neurotoxicity.

Malonate produces striatal lesions by indirect NMDA receptor activation.

We previously showed that local striatal injections of malonate produce age-dependent excitotoxic lesions. In the present study volumetric analysis confirmed that malonate produces age-dependent striatal lesions. Pretreatment with the non-competitive and competitive NMDA receptor antagonists, MK-801 and LY274614, and with lamotrigine resulted in significant protection in 4-month-old animals. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of lesion area showed a significant correlation of increasing lesion size and lactate production in rats ranging from 1 to 12 months of age. Histological evaluation showed NADPH-diaphorase neurons were spared. The results provide further evidence that a subtle impairment of energy metabolism may play a role in neurodegenerative diseases.

Non-Invasive Neurochemical Analysis of Focal Excitotoxic Lesions in Models of Neurodegenerative Illness Using Spectroscopic Imaging

Water-suppressed chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging was used to detect neurochemical alterations in vivo in neurotoxin-induced rat models of Huntingtons and Parkinsons disease. The toxins were: N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), malonate, and azide. Local or systemic injection of these compounds caused secondary excitotoxic lesions by selective inhibition of mitochondrial respiration that gave rise to elevated lactate concentrations in the striatum. In addition, decreased N-acetylaspartate (NAA) concentrations were noted at the lesion site over time. Measurements of lactate washout kinetics demonstrated that t1/2 followed the order: 3-NP ≈ MPP+ » AOAA ≈ malonate, which parallels the expected lifetimes of the neurotoxins based on their mechanisms of action. Further increases in lactate were also caused by intravenous infusion of glucose. At least part of the excitotoxicity is mediated through indirect glutamate pathways because lactate production and lesion size were diminished using unilateral decortectomies (blockade of glutamatergic input) or glutamate antagonists (MK-801). Lesion size and lactate were also diminished by energy repletion with ubiquinone and nicotinamide. Lactate measurements determined by magnetic resonance agreed with biochemical measurements made using freeze clamp techniques. Lesion size as measured with MR, although larger by 30%, agreed well with lesion size determined histologically. These experiments provide evidence for impairment of intracellular energy metabolism leading to indirect excitotoxicity for all the compounds mentioned before and demonstrate the feasibility of small-volume metabolite imaging for in vivo neurochemical analysis.