Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0030567 (Parkinson's disease)
 63,064 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease is still poorly understood. To address the hypothesis that immune-mediated events, such as microglial activation, may be involved in the dopaminergic neurodegeneration, we have studied the effect that intranigral injection of the immunostimulant lipopolysaccharide has on monoaminergic neurotransmitters in rats. Activation of microglial cells, visualized by immunohistochemistry with a specific monoclonal antibody, was already obvious 2 days after injection. In relation to the biochemical parameters studied, we found a significant decrease of dopamine levels in both the substantia nigra and striatum up to at least 21 days after intranigral injection of lipopolysaccharide. This result was supported by the decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase activity and the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neuronal bodies, shown by immunohistochemistry. These alterations of the dopaminergic system did not reverse during the interval studied (21 days); conversely, the serotoninergic system suffered only transient damage. In addition, we found that the neurotoxic effect of lipopolysaccharide was not mediated by nitric oxide. Based on our results we suggest that the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system is susceptible to damage by inflammatory events and that these may be implicated in neurodegeneration processes such as Parkinson's disease.
 ...
PMID:Lipopolysaccharide intranigral injection induces inflammatory reaction and damage in nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. 958 Jan 57

The objective of the present study was to investigate the potential role of the free radical nitric oxide (NO) in the development of fetal rat mesencephalic neurons grafted in a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease. First, using nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-immunocytochemistry and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry, we investigated the presence of the neuronal isoform of NOS (nNOS) in intrastriatal mesencephalic grafts. During the course of the experiment (16 weeks) an increase in the staining intensity and the number of nNOS/NADPH-d positive cells within the grafts was observed, as well as a gradual maturation of dopaminergic neurons. In addition, within both the host striatal and grafted mesencephalic tissue, a NO-dependent accumulation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) was detected, indicating the presence of guanylate cyclase, i.e., the target-enzyme for NO. Secondly, to determine the impact of NO on the survival of grafted dopaminergic neurons, 6-OHDA lesioned rats received mesencephalic grafts and were subsequently treated with the competitive NOS-inhibitor Nomega-nitro-l-arginine methylester (l-NAME). After chronic treatment for 4 weeks, tyrosine hydroxylase immunocytochemistry revealed no apparent differences between the survival of grafted dopaminergic neurons in control- or l-NAME treated animals, respectively. As the maturation of grafted dopaminergic neurons coincides with a gradual increase in the expression of nNOS within the graft and since dopaminergic cell numbers are not changed upon administration of l-NAME, it is concluded that endogenously produced and potentially toxic NO does not affect the survival of grafted fetal dopaminergic neurons.
 ...
PMID:Sustained pharmacological inhibition of nitric oxide synthase does not affect the survival of intrastriatal rat fetal mesencephalic transplants. 959 18

The free radical hypothesis for the pathogenesis and/or progression of Parkinson's disease (PD) has gained wide acceptance in recent years. Although it is clear that dopamine (DA) agonists cannot completely replace levodopa therapy, they can be beneficial early in the course of PD by reducing the accumulation of DA which undergoes auto-oxidation and generates cytotoxic free radicals. In the present study we demonstrate that pergolide, a widely used DA agonist, has free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities. Using a direct detection system for nitric oxide radical (NO.) by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry in an in vitro .NO-generating system, we examined the quenching effects of pergolide on the amount of NO. generated. Pergolide dose-dependently scavenged NO.. In the competition assay, the IC50 value for pergolide was estimated to be about 30 microM. Pergolide also dose-dependently attenuated the hydroxyl radical (.OH) signal in an in vitro FeSO4-H2O2 ESR system with an approximate IC50 value of 300 microM. Furthermore, this agent significantly inhibited phospholipid peroxidation of rat brain homogenates in in vitro experiments and after repeated administration (0.5 mg/kg/24 h, i.p. for 7 days). Our findings suggest a neuroprotective role for pergolide on dopaminergic neurons due to its free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties.
 ...
PMID:Pergolide scavenges both hydroxyl and nitric oxide free radicals in vitro and inhibits lipid peroxidation in different regions of the rat brain. 959 94

Oxidative stress has been proposed as a pathogenetic mechanism in Parkinson's disease (PD). One mechanism of oxidative cellular injury is the nitration of protein tyrosine residues, mediated by peroxynitrite, a reaction product of nitric oxide and superoxide radicals. We demonstrate here the presence of nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity in Lewy bodies within melanized neurons and in amorphous deposits associated with intact and degenerating neurons. The core of the Lewy body was frequently intensely immunolabeled, while the rim was lightly labeled or unlabeled. This likely reflects the fact that tyrosine residues of neurofilament proteins are primarily localized to Lewy body cores, and suggests that nitrotyrosine is present in neurofilament protein itself. Although these observations are as yet unable to provide a definitive link between oxidative stress and neuronal dysfunction, they demonstrate that oxidative stress has occurred within the vulnerable neurons of PD, leaving a permanent marker of oxidative modification of neuronal proteins within the target cells of neurodegeneration. In addition, these observations provide a potential link between excitotoxicity and oxidative stress within the vulnerable neurons of PD and represent a pathogenetic mechanism in common with the 2 other major age-related neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
 ...
PMID:Protein nitration in Parkinson's disease. 960 Feb 27

In Parkinson's disease the cell death of dopamine neurons has been proposed to be mediated by an apoptotic death process, in which nitric oxide may be involved. This article reports the induction of apoptosis by nitric oxide and peroxynitrite in human dopaminergic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and the antiapoptotic activity of (-)-deprenyl. After the cells were treated with a nitric oxide donor, NOR-4, or a peroxynitrite donor, SIN-1, DNA damage was quantitatively studied using a single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay. NOR-4 and SIN-1 induced DNA damage dose-dependently. Cycloheximide and alkaline treatment of the cells prevented the DNA damage, indicating that the damage is apoptotic and that it depends on the intracellular signal transduction. Superoxide dismutase and the antioxidants reduced glutathione and alpha-tocopherol protected the cells from the DNA damage. (-)-Deprenyl protected the cells from the DNA damage induced by nitric oxide or peroxynitrite almost completely. The protection by (-)-deprenyl was significant even after it was washed from the cells, indicating that (-)-deprenyl may activate the intracellular system against apoptosis. These results suggest that (-)-deprenyl or related compounds may be neuroprotective to dopamine neurons through its antiapoptotic activity.
 ...
PMID:(-)-Deprenyl protects human dopaminergic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells from apoptosis induced by peroxynitrite and nitric oxide. 960 16

Oxidative stress may contribute to nigral cell death in Parkinson's disease based on postmortem investigations showing increased iron levels, decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), and impaired mitochondrial function. This leads to oxidative damage because lipid peroxidation is increased in substantia nigra and there is a widespread increase in protein and DNA oxidation in the brain in Parkinson's disease. Nitric oxide (NO) may be one of the free radical species involved in nigral degeneration. NO is involved in the production of hydroxyl radicals resulting from MPP+-induced dopamine efflux in striatum. Mice treated with the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor 7-nitroindazole show reduced toxicity to MPTP and knock-out mice lacking neuronal NOS show decreased MPTP susceptibility. In primates, 7-nitroindazole inhibits MPTP toxicity but this remains controversial because no protection is afforded by the nonspecific NOS inhibitor, L-NAME. Indeed, in Parkinson's disease itself, there is little evidence for nitric oxide's involvement in nigral pathology. A susceptibility factor for the development of Parkinson's disease may involve isoforms of cytochrome P450, some of which are found in the brain. CYP2EI, which is associated with free radical production and the formation of endogenous toxins, is selectively localized in nigral dopamine-containing cells. CYP2E1 metabolizes n-hexane leading to the formation of its neurotoxic metabolite 2,5-hexanedione which may explain cases of solvent-induced parkinsonism. Oxidative processes clearly contribute to the pathology of Parkinson's disease but are probably secondary to some other primary unidentified cause, presumably genetic or environmental. Nevertheless, their involvement may allow therapeutic intervention in the cascade of events associated with the progression of Parkinson's disease.
 ...
PMID:Oxidative mechanisms in nigral cell death in Parkinson's disease. 961 15

1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) produces an experimental model of Parkinson's disease (PD). It replicates most of the clinical features of PD as well as the main biochemical and pathologic hallmarks of the disease. Although the MPTP model departs from PD in several aspects, it is thought that important insights into the neurodegenerative process of PD may be obtained by elucidating the molecular mechanism of MPTP. In this article, we summarize the different steps of the complex metabolic pathway of MPTP and show how they may be implicated in predisposing individuals to PD. We also outline findings pertinent to the mode of action of MPTP including overproduction of free radicals, implication of nitric oxide, nitration of tyrosine, impairment of mitochondrial respiration, and occurrence of apoptosis. All of these factors may participate in the cascade of deleterious events that ultimately lead to the death of dopaminergic neurons after MPTP administration. Because of the similarity between PD and the MPTP model, we are speculating that a similar scenario may underlie the neurodegenerative process in PD.
 ...
PMID:Mechanisms of MPTP toxicity. 961 16

Methamphetamine (METH) is one of the major drugs of abuse that is postulated to cause neurotoxicity by depleting dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, high-affinity DA uptake sites, and the activity of tyrosine hydroxylase. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether the relatively selective, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), protects against METH-induced neurotoxicity. Male Swiss Webster mice received the following injections intraperitoneally (i.p.) 3 times (every 3 hr): (i) vehicle/saline, (ii) 7-NI (25 mg/kg)/saline, (iii) vehicle/METH (5 mg/kg), and (iv) 7-NI (25 mg/kg)/METH (5 mg/kg). On the second day, groups (i) and (iii) received two vehicle injections and groups (ii) and (iv) received two 7-NI injections (25 mg/kg each). The administration of vehicle/METH resulted in 68, 44 and 55% decreases in the concentration of DA, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and homovanillic acid (HVA), respectively, and a 48% decrease in the number of [3H]mazindol binding sites in the striatum compared to control values. The treatment with 7-NI (group iv) provided a full protection against the depletion of DA and its metabolites, and the loss of dopamine transporter binding sites. Multiple injection of METH caused a significant decrease in the concentration of serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA). Treatment with 7-NI partially blocked the depletion of 5-HT and completely blocked the reduction in 5-HIAA levels. The administration of 7-NI/saline (group ii) affected neither the tissue concentration of DA, 5-HT and their metabolites (DOPAC, HVA and 5-HIAA) nor the binding parameters of [3H]-mazindol compared to control (vehicle/saline) values. 7-NI had no significant effect on the animals' body temperature, and it did not affect METH-induced hyperthermia. These findings indicate a role for nitric oxide in METH-induced neurotoxicity and also suggest that blockage of NOS may be beneficial for the management of Parkinson's disease.
 ...
PMID:Effects of 7-nitroindazole, an NOS inhibitor on methamphetamine-induced dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotoxicity in mice. 966 70

A significant loss of dopamine was found in rat striatal slices incubated with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) at a concentration of 2 microM or higher. The addition of 7-nitroindazole, a specific inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), prevented this effect on dopamine when the concentration of MPP+ was between 2-5 microM, but not at higher concentrations. This protection was reproduced with other less specific NOS-inhibitors, such as nitro-arginine and nitro-arginine methylester. 7-nitroindazole did not protect against the dopamine depletion caused by the non-specific mitochondrial chain blocker rotenone. Neither MPP- nor rotenone significantly increased the nitrite concentration in striatal slices, measured as an index of nitric oxide production. The basal production of nitric oxide may be enough to trigger the dopamine depletion at very low concentrations of MPP+, probably acting synergistically with cytosolic calcium increase. Higher concentrations of MPP+ are toxic by themselves without the mediation of nitric oxide. The inhibition of nNOS may protect against dopamine loss at early stages of a neurodegenerative process, and it could then be considered in the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative human processes such as Parkinson's disease.
 ...
PMID:7-Nitroindazole prevents dopamine depletion caused by low concentrations of MPP+ in rat striatal slices. 969 40

The reactivity of catecholamines with nitrogen oxides formed from NO in aerated solutions, nitrite, and peroxynitrite was evaluated. Dopamine and norepinephrine in aerobic buffer (pH 7.4) were almost completely converted to their 6-nitro-derivatives by nitric oxide (NO) at room temperature, while epinephrine was nitrated and above all oxidized. The products obtained from each catecholamine treated with sodium nitrite at pH 4-7 were compared to those produced by NO at pH 7.4. Peroxynitrite, which can nitrate tyrosinyl residues, did not produce nitro-derivatives, only oxidized ones. The physiological relevance, particularly for the vascular and nervous system, is discussed. Catecholamine oxidation reactions could be relevant to physiological conditions and also explain neurotoxicity in Parkinson's disease and aging. Nitration reactions, requiring such high NO concentrations, do not seem possible to occur directly under normal physiological conditions, but could take place in acidic vesicules where nitrite, catecholamines, and their nitrated products could accumulate. Finally, the ability of dopamine to increase 2',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) formation in cultured striatal neurons was blocked by its nitration by NO or its nitrogen oxide derivatives.
 ...
PMID:Oxidation and nitration of catecholamines by nitrogen oxides derived from nitric oxide. 1063 29


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next >>