Parkinson disease: A new link between monoamine oxidase and mitochondrial electron flow

Two factors that contribute to the progression of Parkinson disease are a brain defect in mitochondrial respiration and the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) by monoamine oxidase (MAO). Here we show that the two are linked. Metabolism of the neurotransmitter dopamine, or other monoamines (benzylamine, tyramine), by intact rat brain mitochondria suppresses pyruvate- and succinate-dependent electron transport. MAO inhibitors prevent this action. Mitochondrial damage is also reversed during electron flow. A probable explanation is that MAO-generated H₂O₂ oxidizes glutathione to glutathione disulfide (GSSG), which undergoes thiol-disulfide interchange to form protein mixed disulfides, thereby interfering reversibly with thiol-dependent enzymatic function. In agreement with this premise, direct addition of GSSG to mitochondria resulted in similar reversible inhibition of electron transport. In addition, the monoamines induced an elevation in protein mixed disulfides within mitochondria. These observations imply that (i) heightened activity and metabolism of neurotransmitter by monoamine neurons may affect neuronal function, and (ii) apparent defects in mitochondrial respiration associated with Parkinson disease may reflect, in part, an established increase in dopamine turnover. The experimental results also target mitochondrial repair mechanisms for further investigation and may, in time, lead to newer forms of therapy.     

RELEASE OF NEWLY SYNTHESIZED DOPAMINE FROM DOPAMINE-CONTAINING TERMINALS IN THE STRIATUM OF THE RAT

The extraneuronal spontaneous efflux of (3)H-dopamine synthesized endogenously in dopamine terminals has been demonstrated in vitro, by collecting the (3)H amine in superfusates of isolated striatum of the rat previously incubated with (3)H-tyrosine. The (3)H-dopamine newly synthesized appears to be preferentially released. Furthermore, amphetamine and a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (Carton) markedly increased the release of (3)H-dopamine. This effect was also observed with substances normally contained in some striatal neurons: acetylcholine and 5-hydroxytryptamine.     

Differential vulnerability of primate caudate-putamen and striosome-matrix dopamine systems to the neurotoxic effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine.

The meperidine analogue derivative 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induces nigrostriatal fiber damage and severe parkinsonism in humans and animals. MPTP-induced parkinsonism has been proposed as a model of Parkinson disease, but doubts have been raised about whether the patterns of nigrostriatal fiber loss in the two conditions are similar. We report here observations on [3H]mazindol monoamine (principally dopamine) uptake-site binding in the striatum of monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) exposed to low doses of MPTP. We show that this treatment can produce a pattern of nigrostriatal degeneration characteristic of that seen in Parkinson disease, in which there is greater depletion of dopaminergic markers in the putamen than in the caudate nucleus, especially posteriorly. Moreover, within the regions of diminished uptake-site binding in the MPTP-treated monkeys, there is differential preservation of binding in striosomes relative to the surrounding matrix. We suggest that both regional and striosome/matrix patterns of nigrostriatal depletion are key features of MPTP-induced neurodegeneration and that both patterns may provide clues to the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in Parkinson disease as well.     

Parkinsonism-inducing neurotoxin, N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 -tetrahydropyridine: uptake of the metabolite N-methyl-4-phenylpyridine by dopamine neurons explains selective toxicity.

N-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) produces neuropathological and clinical abnormalities in humans, monkeys, and mice that closely resemble idiopathic parkinsonism. N-Methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+), a metabolite of MPTP formed by monoamine oxidase B, is accumulated into striatal and cerebral cortical synaptosomes by the dopamine and norepinephrine uptake systems, respectively, whereas MPTP itself is not accumulated. The potencies of drugs in inhibiting [3H]MPP+ or [3H]dopamine uptake into striatal synaptosomes are very similar, as are potencies in inhibiting [3H]MPP+ or [3H]norepinephrine uptake into cortical synaptosomes. The Km values for [3H]MPP+ uptake are 170 and 65 nM and the Vmax values are 2 and 0.1 nmol/g of tissue per min in rat striatum and cortex, respectively, similar to values for [3H]dopamine uptake, Autoradiography of accumulated [3H]MPP+ in slices of rat brain shows high densities in the caudate-putamen and nucleus accumbens. Furthermore, blockade of dopamine uptake by mazindol prevents MPTP-induced damage to nigrostriatal dopamine neurons, indicating that MPP+ concentration into dopamine neurons explains their selective destruction by MPTP.     

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor increases the electrical activity of pars compacta dopamine neurons in vivo.

Chronic infusions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immediately above the substantia nigra augment spontaneous locomotion, rotational behavior, and striatal dopamine (DA) turnover, indicating that BDNF increases functions of the nigrostriatal DA system. Because the function of the nigrostriatal DA system is related to the electrical activity of DA neurons, we investigated the effect of BDNF on the electrical activity of DA neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta in vivo. Chronic supranigral infusions of BDNF (12 micrograms/day), nerve growth factor (11 micrograms/day), or phosphate-buffered saline were started 2 weeks before the electrophysiological recordings. BDNF increased the number of spontaneously active DA neurons by 65-98%, increased the average firing rage by 32%, and increased the number of action potentials contained within bursts. Neither nerve growth factor nor phosphate-buffered saline infusions altered any of these properties relative to unoperated animals. In addition, extremely fast-firing DA neurons (> 10 spikes per sec) were commonly found only in the BDNF-infused animals. These results demonstrate neurotrophin effects on the electrical activity of intact central nervous system neurons in vivo and suggest that the increases in locomotor behavior and striatal dopamine turnover obtained during supranigral BDNF infusions may result from increases in the electrical activity of DA neurons.     

Regulation of the tuberoinfundibular and nigrostriatal systems. Evidence for different kinds of dopaminergic neurons in the brain.

The tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic (TIDA) neurons appear to present remarkable differences from the nigrostriatal and mesocortical dopaminergic (DA) systems. The hormonal feedback of prolactin on TIDA neurons differs from the neuronal feedback system operating in the striatum and olfactory tubercles. The uptake of dopamine appears to present the characteristics of a high affinity process in the terminals of the striatum and olfactory tubercle, whereas in the median eminence this process exhibits a much lower affinity. The pharmacological properties of postsynaptic receptors in the different DA pathways appear to be similar. However, the intracellular events which are ultimately manifested as physiological responses to dopamine may be completely different in the postsynaptic cells in the neostriatum and in the lactotrophs of the anterior pituitary. In addition, there is evidence suggesting that dopamine receptors in the anterior pituitary are more sensitive to the actions of agonists and antagonists than are dopamine receptors in the striatum.     

Dehydration selectively increases dopamine synthesis in tuberohypophyseal dopaminergic neurons

The concentration of dopamine (DA) and the accumulation of DOPA following the administration of a decarboxylase inhibitor were determined in the rat striatum, median eminence and posterior pituitary, regions containing terminals of nigrostriatal, tuberoinfundibular and tuberohypophyseal DA nerves, respectively. Severe dehydration (2 days water deprivation followed by 3 days of 2% NaCl substituted for drinking water) increased the concentration of DA in the posterior pituitary but not in the striatum or median eminence. Less severe dehydration caused by 2 or 3 days of water deprivation did not alter steady state concentrations of DA, but increased DOPA accumulation, an index of DA nerve activity, only in the posterior pituitary. Food deprivation for 3 days did not alter DOPA accumulation in the posterior pituitary. These results suggest that dehydration selectively activates the tuberohypophyseal DA neuronal system in the rat.     

Enhanced striatal cholinergic neuronal activity mediates L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in parkinsonian mice

Treatment of Parkinson disease (PD) with L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) dramatically relieves associated motor deficits, but L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias (LID) limit the therapeutic benefit over time. Previous investigations have noted changes in striatal medium spiny neurons, including abnormal activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK). Using two PD models, the traditional 6-hydroxydopamine toxic lesion and a genetic model with nigrostriatal dopaminergic deficits, we found that acute dopamine challenge induces ERK activation in medium spiny neurons in denervated striatum. After repeated L-DOPA treatment, however, ERK activation diminishes in medium spiny neurons and increases in striatal cholinergic interneurons. ERK activation leads to enhanced basal firing rate and stronger excitatory responses to dopamine in striatal cholinergic neurons. Pharmacological blockers of ERK activation inhibit L-DOPA-induced changes in ERK phosphorylation, neuronal excitability, and the behavioral manifestation of LID. In addition, a muscarinic receptor antagonist reduces LID. These data indicate that increased dopamine sensitivity of striatal cholinergic neurons contributes to the expression of LID, which suggests novel therapeutic targets for LID.     

Tyrosine administration increases striatal dopamine release in rats with partial nigrostriatal lesions.

Partial, unilateral nigrostriatal lesions of varying severity were produced in rats by injecting graded doses of 6-hydroxydopamine into the substantia nigra. Formation of the dopamine metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid in each surviving nigrostriatal neuron (estimated by the ratios of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid to dopamine and homovanillic acid to dopamine in the striatum) increased significantly when dopamine concentrations in striata containing lesions had been reduced to 25% or less of control values, but remained unchanged in rats with less severe lesions. These findings suggest that, in rats with severe damage of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, surviving neurons increase their firing rates and accelerate dopamine synthesis and release. In rats that had lesions and enhanced striatal dopamine release, but not in rats with lesser lesions (i.e., which reduced ipsilateral dopamine concentrations by less than 75%), administration of tyrosine (250 mg/kg) caused further significant increases in formation of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid. These findings provide further evidence that tyrosine availability can enhance dopamine synthesis in and release from nigrostriatal neurons if the firing rates of these neurons are accelerated.     

骨化三醇对MPTP诱导慢性帕金森病小鼠模型脑内神经递质的影响

目的探讨骨化三醇对1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶（MPTP）诱导慢性帕金森病小鼠模型脑内氨基酸类和单胺类神经递质的影响。方法C57BL／6小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、骨化三醇高剂量给药组和低剂量给药组,构建MPTP慢性模型,应用高效液相色谱法测定中脑及纹状体内氨基酸类神经递质,包括天冬氨酸（Asp）、谷氨酸（Glu）、甘氨酸（Gly）、牛磺酸（Tau）、1,-氨基丁酸（GABA）和单胺类神经递质,包括多巴胺（DA）及其代谢产物3,4-双羟苯乙酸（DOPAC）的含量。结果与对照组相比,模型组小鼠氨基酸类神经递质除中脑内GABA外含量增加,纹状体内DA和DOPAC含量降低,代谢率增加俨〈O．01或P〈0．05）。骨化三醇给药组与模型组相比,高剂量可使中脑GIu,Gly,Tau及纹状体内五种氨基酸含量降低,DA和DOPAC含量增加,代谢率降低俨〈O．01或P〈0．05）;低剂量则仅可减缓中脑Tau和纹状体除Tau以外其他4种氨基酸含量增长状况。结论骨化三醇能改善MPTP所致慢性PD小鼠模型脑内神经递质含量异常,直接或间接保护DA能神经元,对其机制的深入研究有助于新型神经保护药物的开发。     

Methyl jasmonate ameliorates rotenone-induced motor deficits in rats through its neuroprotective activity and increased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase immunopositive cells

Decreased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity, due to degeneration of dopaminergic neurons contributes to the low dopamine content and the motor deficits that characterized Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study examines the effect of methyl jasmonate (MJ), a neuroprotective bioactive compound isolated from jasminum grandiflorum, on motor functions, immunopositive cells of TH, dendritic neurons and dopamine contents in rotenone (Rot)-treated rats. Rats pretreated daily with MJ (100 mg/kg, i.p) for 21 days also received Rot (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min after each pretreatment for every 48 h for 21 days. Motor functions were assessed on day 22. The specific brain regions of the rats were processed for determination of dopamine contents, immunopositive cells of TH, neuronal cell morphology and dendritic aborizations. Rot impaired locomotion and rearing behavior, and decreased dopamine content in the striatum, prefrontal cortex and midbrain. It further reduced the expression of TH in the substantia nigra and striatum relative to vehicle-control (p?<?0.05). Histopathologic studies revealed that Rot-treated rats had degenerated neurons with pyknotic nuclei and loss of nigrostriatal neuronal cells. Rot also altered the nigrostriatal dendritic neuronal networks, decreased the dendritic length and spine density. However, pretreatment with MJ improved motor deficits, increased TH activity and dopamine contents in the specific brain regions of Rot-treated rats. MJ also attenuated the cyto-architectural distortions, loss of neuronal cells and dendritic aborizations of the striatum of Rot-treated rats. These findings suggest that MJ may reverse the motor deficits associated with PD by modifying the key pathological abnormalities involved in the disease progression.

     

Protective Effect of Riluzole on MPTP-Induced Depletion of Dopamine and Its Metabolite Content in Mice

The neuroprotective effects of riluzole (2-amino-6-trifluoromethoxy benzothiazole), a Na⁺ channel blocker with antiglutamatergic activity, MK-801, a blocker of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor pargyline were compared in the model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced depletion of dopamine and its metabolite 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels in mice. The mice received four intraperitoneal injections of MPTP (10 mg/kg) at 1-hr intervals and then the brains were analyzed at 1, 3 and 7 days after the treatments. Dopamine and DOPAC levels were significantly decreased in the striatum from 1 day after MPTP treatments. A severe depletion in dopamine and DOPAC levels was found in the striatum 3 and 7 days after MPTP treatments. Riluzole dose-dependently antagonized the MPTP-induced decrease in dopamine and DOPAC levels in the striatum. Pargyline also protected against MPTP-induced decrease in dopamine levels in the striatum. However, this drug showed no significant change in the striatal DOPAC levels. On the other hand, MK-801 failed to protect against MPTP-induced decrease in dopamine levels in the striatum. However, MK-801 reversed the MPTP-induced decrease in DOPAC levels. These results suggest that riluzole can protect against MPTP-induced striatal dopamine and DOPAC depletion in mice. This protective effect may be caused by inactivation of voltage-dependent Na⁺ channels by riluzole. Furthermore, the present study suggests that the activation of NMDA receptors does not mainly contribute to MPTP-induced neurodegeneration, whereas MAO, especially MAO type B(MAO-B) plays a crucial role in MPTP-induced degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal pathway.     

[18F]Fluoro-dopa, an analogue of dopa, and its use in direct external measurements of storage, degradation, and turnover of intracerebral dopamine

3,4-Dihydroxy-5-fluorophenylalanine, fluorodopa, was injected into rats in which unilateral lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway had been made. The rats rotated towards the side with the lesions, thus providing further evidence that fluoro-dopa is an analogue of dopa. [(18)F]Fluoro-dopa was then injected intravenously into fully conscious baboons. A well-collimated scintillation detector, aligned along the occipitomental axis, recorded the accumulation of (18)F in the brain. Control animals accumulated (18)F continuously for 100 min. This accumulation represents net transport of [(18)F]fluoro-dopa from blood to brain, decarboxylation to [(18)F]fluoro-dopamine, storage, and degradation of [(18)F]fluoro-dopamine. alpha-Methyl-dopa, a competitive inhibitor of dopa transport and decarboxylation, prevented the accumulation of (18)F; reserpine, known to release stored intracerebral dopamine, discharged (18)F; pargyline, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, and haloperidol, a known augmentor of intracerebral dopamine turnover, increased the rate of accumulation of (18)F. These changes in the accumulation of intracerebral (18)F, after [(18)F]fluoro-dopa, were commensurate with the known action of the drugs used to induce them and demonstrate the use of a gamma-emitting precursor of a neurotransmitter to monitor simply, atraumatically, and externally the intracerebral metabolism of the transmitter in fully conscious primates. When applied to man, the same technique should be able to provide more conclusive evidence than is presently available for the role of catecholamines in schizophrenia and depression. It should also provide further insight into the natural history of nigrostriatal diseases and the action of drugs used in their treatment.     

Stimulation of protein-tyrosine phosphorylation in rat striatum after lesion of dopamine neurons or chronic neuroleptic treatment.

Even though the short-term actions of dopamine on postsynaptic receptors are well-characterized, the molecular bases for long-term trophic interactions between dopamine neurons and their targets remain unclear. Since protein-tyrosine phosphorylation plays a key role in the action of trophic factors, we have investigated its possible involvement in the interactions between dopamine neurons and their striatal targets. Lesioning rat nigrostriatal dopamine neurons by using 6-hydroxydopamine increased the phosphorylation on tyrosine of several proteins, including a major 180-kDa protein (pp180) in the ipsilateral striatum. Protein-tyrosine kinase activity was also increased in the striatum ipsilateral to the lesion, whereas no change in phosphotyrosine phosphatase activity was detected. The stimulation of pp180 phosphorylation was observed 1, 2, and 8 weeks after 6-hydroxydopamine lesion, was selective for the destruction of dopamine neurons, and was mimicked by chronic blockade of dopamine receptors with neuroleptics. Additional lesion experiments and subcellular fractionation showed that pp180 is located in neuronal postsynaptic densities, suggesting that pp180 is a postsynaptic component of corticostriatal synapses. Our results indicate that lesion of specific afferent fibers can activate tyrosine phosphorylation in central neurons and suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation is involved in the long-term consequences of dopamine deficiency and may play a role in synaptic plasticity.     

Effects of intraventricular methotrexate on cerebrospinal fluid monoamine metabolites in rhesus monkeys

Previous work suggested that methotrexate (MTX) may cause encephalopathy by inhibiting biosynthetic pathways for dopamine and serotonin in the brain. We examined this issue by measuring the neurotransmitter metabolites homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the lumbar CSF of rhesus monkeys receiving continuous intracerebroventricular infusions of MTX or dichloromethotrexate. Infusion of the lowest dose (0.05 mg/day) produced a large (300%) rise in homovanillic acid levels and a modest elevation in 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid. During higher dose infusion, which was associated with clinical encephalopathy, the biogenic amine metabolites fell from their previous elevated levels. In one encephalopathic monkey, an injection of 1 mg of leucovorin produced a marked elevation in CSF monoamine metabolites within 1 hour and rapid clinical recovery. In contrast, leucovorin produced no change in monoamine metabolites in control animals. The data suggest that MTX may block egress of monoamine metabolites from CSF at the lower doses and suppress neurotransmitter turnover at toxic doses which cause encephalopathy. Serial measurements of CSF monoamine metabolites deserve further investigation as biochemical markers for toxic effects of MTX on neuronal metabolism in the CNS.     

The Effects of Chronic Ethanol Consumption on the Mesolimbic and Nigrostriatal Dopamine Systems

Both the mesolimbic dopamine system, which is involved with the rewarding properties of several drugs of abuse, and the nigrostriatal dopamine system, which is involved with motor function, appear to be sensitive to the effects of ethanol. In order to determine which components of the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopamine systems are adversely affected by chronic ethanol consumption, we assessed dopamine and DOPAC (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) concentration and D1 and D2 receptors in several dopaminergic brain areas. These studies demonstrated that consumption of a 6.6% (v/v) ethanol-containing lipid diet for 1 month affected several components of the mesolimbic dopamine system in 3-month-old Fisher 344 rats and fewer components of the nigrostriatal dopamine system. Specifically, there was a 1.6- to 2.6-fold increase in the concentration of DOPAC in the nucleus accumbens (NA), frontal cortex (FCX), ventral tegmental area (VTA), and substantia nigra (SN). While the increase in DOPAC in the FCX and VTA was paralleled by a similar increase in dopamine, there was a significant deficiency of dopamine in the SN. These results suggest that there is an increase in dopamine turnover in the FCX, VTA, NA, and SN, which is accompanied by increased dopamine synthesis in the former two regions. Studies of dopamine receptors in control and ethanol-fed rats demonstrated a 25% loss of D1 receptors in the NA. No significant differences were found in D1 receptors in the striatum or globus pallidus. In addition, there were no differences in the number of total D2 receptors or in the conversion of the high to low affinity state of D2 receptors in the nucleus accumbens and striatum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Impaired neurotransmission caused by overexpression of α-synuclein in nigral dopamine neurons

We used in vivo amperometry to monitor changes in synaptic dopamine (DA) release in the striatum induced by overexpression of human wild-type α-synuclein in nigral DA neurons, induced by injection of an adeno-associated virus type 6 (AAV6)-α-synuclein vector unilaterally into the substantia nigra in adult rats. Impairments in DA release evolved in parallel with the development of degenerative changes in the nigrostriatal axons and terminals. The earliest change, seen 10 d after vector injection, was a marked, ≈50%, reduction in DA reuptake, consistent with an early dysfunction of the DA transporter that developed before any overt signs of axonal damage. At 3 wk, when the first signs of axonal damage were observed, the amount of DA released after a KCl pulse was reduced by 70-80%, and peak DA concentration was delayed, indicating an impaired release mechanism. At later time points, 8-16 wk, overall striatal innervation density was reduced by 60-80% and accompanied by abundant signs of axonal damage in the form of α-synuclein aggregates, axonal swellings, and dystrophic axonal profiles. At this stage DA release and reuptake were profoundly reduced, by 80-90%. The early changes in synaptic DA release induced by overexpression of human α-synuclein support the idea that early predegenerative changes in the handling of DA may initiate, and drive, a progressive degenerative process that hits the axons and terminals first. Synaptic dysfunction and axonopathy would thus be the hallmark of presymptomatic and early-stage Parkinson disease, followed by neuronal degeneration and cell loss, characteristic of more advanced stages of the disease.     

Oxidative Damage to Neutrophils in Glutathione Synthetase Deficiency

Several episodes of neutropenia were observed in a child with glutathione synthetase deficiency (5-oxoprolinuria). Studies of the patient's glutathione-deficient neutrophils were undertaken to examine the responses of the cells to oxidative stress associated with phagocytosis. The patient's neutrophils contained 10--20% of normal glutathione content. Circulating neutrophils in infection-free periods appeared less mature than normal by morphologic criteria, suggesting increased cell turnover. The cells ingested particles, responded to chemotactic stimuli, and oxidized 1-14C glucose normally. However, following ingestion of particles, the cells accumulated excess hydrogen peroxide compared with normal cells, and showed impaired protein iodination and bacterial killing. Electron micrographs revealed damage to microtubules and membranous structures in the patient's neutrophils during phagocytosis. The level of glutathione in the cells appears inadequate to protect against peroxide generated during normal cell function, and the cells are thus damaged and rendered less effective in bacterial killing. The data provide evidence for a protective role of glutathione in normal neutrophil function.     

Melatonin reduces the neuronal loss, downregulation of dopamine transporter, and upregulation of D2 receptor in rotenone-induced parkinsonian rats

Abstract:  Parkinson's disease (PD) is a movement disorder resulting from nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurodegeneration. The impairment of mitochondrial function and dopamine synaptic transmission are involved in the pathogenesis of PD. Two mitochondrial inhibitors, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP⁺) and rotenone, have been used to induce dopaminergic neuronal death both in in vitro and in vivo models of PD. Because the uptake of MPP⁺ is mediated by the dopamine transporter (DAT), we used a cell-permeable rotenone-induced PD model to investigate the role of DAT and dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) on dopaminergic neuronal loss. Rotenone subcutaneously infused for 14 days induced PD symptoms in rats, as indicated by reduced spontaneous locomotor activity (hypokinesis), loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, a marker enzyme for dopamine neurons) immunoreactivity in the substantia nigra and striatum, obvious α-synuclein accumulation, downregulated DAT protein expression, and upregulated D2R expression. Interestingly, rotenone also caused significant noradrenergic neuronal loss in the locus coeruleus. Melatonin, an antioxidant, prevented nigrostriatal neurodegeneration and α-synuclein aggregation without affecting the rotenone-induced weight loss and hypokinesis. However, rotenone-induced hypokinesis was markedly reversed by the DAT antagonist nomifensine and body weight loss was attenuated by the D2R antagonist sulpiride. In addition, both antagonists significantly prevented the reduction of striatal TH or DAT immunoreactivity but not the loss of nigral TH- and DAT-immunopositive neurons. These results suggested that oxidative stress and DAT downregulation are involved in the rotenone-induced pathogenesis of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurodegeneration, whereas D2R upregulation may simply represent a compensatory response.     

Dopamine receptor turnover rates in rat striatum are age-dependent.

The time course of recovery of [3H]spiperone binding in the rat striatum after a single injection of the irreversible antagonist N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) shows that a slower rate of regeneration/turnover of D-2 dopamine receptors occurs in mid-life-mature versus young male rats. This slower receptor recovery reflects relatively slower rates of both receptor synthesis and degradation. Studies using cycloheximide indicate that protein synthesis plays a significant role in the reappearance of [3H]spiperone-binding sites. Other experiments indicate that chronic reserpine treatment, which produces dopamine receptor up regulation, also produces accelerated receptor recovery after EEDQ blockade. An age-related decline in dopamine receptor turnover, if present in humans and progressive into senescence, could be responsible for the increased risk of developing Parkinson disease and drug-induced parkinsonian-like extrapyramidal side effects with age. On the other hand, the more rapid receptor turnover rates seen in young rats may be a biochemical feature related to plasticity in the striatum during development.