6-羟基多巴胺单侧纹状体注射对大鼠双侧多巴胺能神经元的影响

目的探讨帕金森病大鼠模型中6-羟基多巴胺（6-OHDA）单侧纹状体注射对双侧黑质纹状体多巴胺能神经元的影响。方法大鼠随机分成模型组和对照组，模型组自一侧纹状体注射6-OHDA，对照组注射PBS；用免疫组织化学方法分别检测大鼠双侧黑质和纹状体区酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）阳性细胞和纤维的表达；高效液相色谱检测双侧纹状体多巴胺（DA）及其代谢产物3，4-二羟基苯乙酸（DOPAC）和高香草酸（HVA）含量。结果模型组大鼠双侧（毁损侧与其对侧）黑质致密区TH阳性细胞数量均少于对照组（P〈0．01），模型组双侧纹状体区TH阳性纤维密度均低于对照组；模型组大鼠双侧纹状体区DA含量均低于对照组（P〈0．01）；双侧DOPAC和HVA含量也降低。结论6-羟多巴胺单侧纹状体注射制作的帕金森病大鼠模型的对侧黑质纹状体也有损伤。     

铁离子对黑质纹状体多巴胺神经元毒性作用的实验研究

目的 探讨铁离子对黑质纹状体多巴胺神经元的毒性作用。方法 采用立体定向偏侧大鼠黑质内注入50μg FeCl3和FeCl2，4周后用阿朴吗啡诱导动物行为学变化，高效液相色谱(HPLC)检测纹状体内多巴胺、去甲肾上腺素、肾上腺素递质含量的变化，免疫组化观察黑质多巴胺神经元和胶质细胞的改变。结果 FeCL3和FeCL2均可引起注射侧纹状体内DA含量选择性降低，而NA、A含量无显著改变；注射侧黑质内DA神经元显著缺失、胶质细胞显著增生；FeCL3组阿朴吗啡诱导大鼠向同侧旋转行为，FeCL2组大鼠于术后即出现特征性自发性对侧旋转行为，阿朴吗啡不能诱发其旋转。结论 铁离子对黑质纹状体多巴胺神经元具有毒性作用，Fe^3 作用最强，胶质细胞的增生可能参与了这一毒性作用过程。     

黑质区神经降压素对纹状体多巴胺含量的影响

采用荧光分光光度测定法，测定黑质区注射神经降压素及其抗血清对效状体等脑区多巴胺含量的影响。结果表明：（1）黑质区注射不同剂量的神经降压素后，纹状体内多巴胺含量较对照组明显增加，且呈明显的量效依赖关系，而下丘脑及大脑皮层内多巴胺含量无明显改变；（2）黑质区注射抗神经降压素血清后，级状体内多巴胺含且无明显改变。这提示，黑质区外源性神经降压素可增加效状体多巴胺的含量。     

损毁丘脑底核阻止6-OHDA对大鼠多巴胺能神经元的损伤作用

目的 观察不同时期毁损丘脑底核对大鼠中脑黑质多巴胺神经元6－羟基多巴胺（6－OHDA）损伤的保护作用。方法 将60只Wistar大鼠随机分为6组,每组10只。对照组采用6－OHDA立体定向注入大鼠右侧前脑内侧束（MFB）和中脑被盖腹侧区（VTA）,制成偏侧帕金森病（PD）模型。实验组分为第Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组,分别于6－OHDA注射前7d、注射后1h、2h、3d、7d 5个不同时间点,局部注射海藻氨酸（KA）破坏STN。4周后处死大鼠,采用免疫组化染色方法,定量测量各组大鼠黑质致密区（SNc）区TH免疫阳性反应神经元数目。实验数据采用方差分析和t检验统计学处理。结果 第Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ实验组以及对照组的注射侧TH神经元存活数目分别为71．46±6．84、57．07±5．54、51．09±4．85、12．68±2．67、4．15±1．60和3．40±1．54个每张切片,为对侧的96．7％、72．9％、69．8％、17．2％、5．6％及4．4％。各实验组注射侧TH神经元均比对照组同侧数目多（P ＜ 0．05）,但Ⅴ组无显著性差异（P ＞0．05）。各实验组之间比较,均有明显差异,其中以Ⅰ组TH神经元存活的数量最多（P ＜0．01）。结论 早期毁损丘脑底核（STN）可减轻6－OHDA对黑质致密部多巴胺（DA）能神经元的损伤和细胞数量的缺失;晚期毁损对其无明显     

青藤碱防护脂多糖所致PD大鼠黑质多巴胺能神经元损伤实验研究

目的观察中药青藤碱(SN)对脂多糖(LPS)所致大鼠黑质多巴胺能(DA)神经元损伤的保护作用。方法黑质内注射LPS制作PD大鼠模型。应用SN对实验动物进行预处理。实验分为对照组、PD组及SN组,采用行为学、酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)、环氧化酶-2(COX-2)等免疫组化及免疫印迹技术等观察SN对LPS所致黑质DA能神经元损伤的保护作用。结果对照组大鼠无任何行为变化,PD组大鼠平均旋转圈数为196.90±9.52,SN组明显减少,为98.79±8.81,差异非常显著(P<0.01)。TH免疫组化表明对照组黑质TH阳性神经元数量较多,胞体较大,突起明显;PD组TH阳性神经元数量明显减少,甚至消失,神经元胞体萎缩,突起亦不清晰,差异非常显著(P<0.01)。SN组TH阳性神经元数量与PD组相比明显增加(P<0.01),神经元形态变化亦不明显。COX-2免疫组化表明对照组黑质致密部偶见COX-2阳性细胞,PD组可见大量散在分布的COX-2阳性细胞,SN组COX-2阳性细胞数与PD组相比明显减少,差异非常显著(P<0.01)。小胶质细胞特异性抗体(OX-42)免疫组化表明对照组大鼠黑质小胶质细胞多呈静止的分枝样状态,PD组多...     

神经细胞黏附分子在正常老化大鼠黑质致密部多巴胺能神经细胞的表达

目的：观察神经细胞黏附分子（NCAM）和酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）在大鼠黑质致密部（SNc）多巴胺（DA）能神经细胞表达的变化,探讨其发生机制。方法：健康雄性SD大鼠24只,分为成年组（4—5月龄）和老年组（≥24月龄）,取中脑黑质,分别进行TH和NCAM的免疫组织化学染色及免疫印迹检测蛋白表达,显微镜下计数免疫组化染色阳性神经细胞,灰度分析电泳条带。结果：SNc的DA能神经细胞几乎都表达NCAM,老年大鼠SNcTH阳性细胞总数及蛋白量均无减少（P〉0．05）,但尾侧段TH阳性细胞减少（P〈0．05）;NCAM在阳性细胞总数及蛋白量均减少（P〈0．05）,但各段阳性细胞的减少无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论：正常老化后大鼠的SNcDA能神经细胞DA合成降低,并且NCAM可能参与了这种DA的合成下降。     

帕金森病模型大鼠黑质多巴胺能神经元的氧化应激研究

目的　探索帕金森病模型大鼠黑质多巴胺能神经元的氧化应激发病机制。方法　通过立体定位仪 ,将 6-OHDA注入大鼠一侧纹状体内制备 PD模型 ,2周后观察动物的行为学改变 ,2个月后观察黑质纹状体等的病理形态学变化 ,检测模型组、假手术组和正常对照组的超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)的活性 ,丙二醛 (MDA)、一氧化氮(NO)代谢产物 (NO x)的含量的变化。结果　成功 PD模型鼠有 2 2只。光镜下 HE染色示模型组右侧黑质的多巴胺神经元受损 ,数目减少。模型组右侧黑质的 SOD的含量下降 ,MDA及 NO x含量明显升高 ,与左侧、假手术组及正常对照组相比有显著差异 (P>0 .0 5)。结论　 6-OHDA纹状体内双靶点注射法是一种有效的制备 PD模型的方法。帕金森病大鼠模型黑质内 SOD活性下降 ,MDA、NO x含量升高 ,氧化应激在 PD的发病中起重要的作用     

凝血酶诱导小胶质细胞激活与黑质多巴胺能神经元变性关系的研究

目的探讨凝血酶诱导小胶质细胞激活与黑质多巴胺（DA）能神经元变性的关系。方法采用脑立体定向术将凝血酶注射人大鼠黑质，采用尼氏（Nissl）染色、酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）及特异性小胶质细胞表面补体受体（CR3）单克隆抗体（OX-42）标记免疫组织化学染色，观察凝血酶注射人大鼠黑质后不同时间点TH阳性多巴胺能神经元数量及小胶质细胞的激活情况。结果凝血酶注入黑质4h后小胶质细胞开始呈现“灌木丛样”或少量呈现阿米巴样；12h小胶质细胞数目明显增加且绝大部分呈现阿米巴样；24h已完全激活，“阿米巴样”细胞达高峰；3d维持高峰；14d后小胶质细胞染色变淡，体积变小，阿米巴样细胞数目下降。TH阳性细胞数在第3d开始下降，第7d有大量的TH阳性细胞丢失，与对照侧相比下降达约53％（P〈0．01），高倍镜下可见胞体皱缩、突起明显缩短或减少，14d时细胞数下降至21％，30d时约为12％（P〈0．01）。结论凝血酶对DA能神经元具有一定的损毁作用，小胶质细胞的激活先于DA能神经元变性，其活化可能参与DA能神经元变性。     

P—gp对百草枯诱导慢性帕金森病大鼠模型血脑屏障和多巴胺能神经元的影响

目的通过观察百草枯诱导的慢性帕金森病大鼠模型中血脑屏障功能和P-糖蛋白表达的变化,探讨百草枯诱导帕金森病的机制;观察P_糖蛋白功能对多巴胺能神经元的影响,进一步探讨P-糖蛋白在百草枯诱导的慢性帕金森病过程中的保护作用。方法将大鼠随机分成5组：对照组、PQ4周组、PQ4周＋诱导剂组、PQ4周＋抑制剂组和PQ8周组。用免疫组织化学染色方法显示大鼠中脑TH阳性细胞;westernblotting检测TH蛋白和P-糖蛋白表达;Belyaevs法使用EB测定BBB通透性;HPLC-EC法测定纹状体中5-HT、DA、DOPAC和HVA含量。结果百草枯所致的慢性帕金森病大鼠模型（1）TH阳性神经元较对照组明显减少（P〈0．05）、TH蛋白和P-gp表达显著降低（P〈O．05）、大鼠BBB的通透性显著增加（P〈O．05）;（2）纹状体内5-HT、DA、DOPAC和HVA含量降低,诱导P-糖蛋白表达能使上述物质含量增加,抑制P-糖蛋白表达能使上述物质含量显著降低（P〈O．05）。结论百草枯可能通过增加BBB通透性和降低P-糖蛋白的表达来诱导帕金森病;P-糖蛋白对多巴胺能神经元有保护作用。     

美满霉素对脂多糖诱导帕金森病模型多巴胺能神经元保护作用的研究

目的 探讨美满霉素（Mino）对脂多糖（LPS）诱导小胶质细胞（Mic）激活的抑制作用和对黑质多巴胺能（DA）神经元的保护作用。方法 20只雄性SD大鼠随机分为单纯LPS干预组和LPS＋Mino干预组（n=10）。并设5只生理盐水注射作为对照组。于不同时间点观察各组大鼠行为学改变．并采用免疫组织化学、原位杂交、Western blot等方法观察Mic的激活情况以及酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）神经元、mRNA、蛋白的表达水平。结果 LPS＋Mino组在LPS诱导后7d、14d的旋转次数均较单纯LPS组明显减少：两组均以激活型Mic为主，LPS＋Mino组“阿米巴样”Mic数目较单纯LPS组明显减少，尚存有少许“分枝样”Mic；LPS诱导后两组术侧中脑OX-42蛋白水平较对照组均明显增高。LPS＋Mino组增加水平显著低于单纯LPS组（P〈0．01）；2组术侧中脑TH阳性神经元数量、mRNA、蛋白水平均较对照组明显下降，单纯LPS组下降水平显著高于LPS＋Mino组（P〈0．01）。结论 Mino干预可显著抑制LPS诱导的Mic激活，减轻LPS对黑质DA能神经元的毒性作用。     

重组人促红细胞生成素预处理对黑质多巴胺能神经元凋亡的影响

目的研究重组人促红细胞生成素(rhEPO)对离体帕金森病模型中黑质多巴胺神经元凋亡的影响。方法以6-羟基多巴胺(6-OHDA)为毁损剂建立大鼠离体帕金森病(PD)模型。用6u/mlrhEPO预处理黑质多巴胺神经元,然后用免疫组化方法观察黑质中酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)免疫反应阳性细胞数和半胱天冬酶-3(Caspase-3)免疫反应阳性细胞数的变化,TUNEL法观察黑质中多巴胺神经元的凋亡情况。结果与6-OHDA组(44.2±5.0)相比,rhEPO预处理组TH免疫反应阳性细胞(63.8±6.2,P<0.01)增多;与6-OHDA组(22.3±2.8)相比,rhEPO预处理组多巴胺神经元中Caspase-3表达减少,Caspase-3免疫反应阳性细胞染色较淡,数量减少(13.7±1.8,P<0.01);与6-OHDA组(20.3±3.1)相比,rhEPO预处理组TUNEL阳性细胞染色较淡,数量减少(10.7±1.5,P<0.01)。结论rhEPO预处理可以减轻6-OHDA对离体帕金森病模型中多巴胺神经元的损伤,其机制可能与rhEPO抑制黑质多巴胺神经元凋亡有关。     

Intranigral substance P modulation of striatal dopamine: interaction with N-terminal and C-terminal substance P fragments.

The effects of unilateral injections of two substance P fragments, the N-terminal substance P (1-7) (SP1-7) and the C-terminal substance P (6-11) (SP6-11) into the substantia nigra, pars reticulata on dopamine (DA) release in the ipsilateral striatum of halothane-anaesthetized rats were studied using microdialysis. SP1-7 and SP6-11 were also tested for their ability to modify the DA stimulation produced by intranigral injections of SP or neurokinin A (NKA). In addition, the SP antagonist Spantide I was tested for its ability to modify the DA stimulation produced by an intranigral injection of SP1-7. Intranigral injections of SP1-7 (0.001-5.0 nmol) inhibited DA release after low doses (0.001-0.01 nmol), but stimulated DA release after high doses (0.1-5.0 nmol). Striatal dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels increased moderately after high doses of SP1-7 (1.0-5.0 nmol). Intranigral injections of SP6-11 (0.01-5.0 nmol) inhibited DA release, but enhanced striatal DOPAC levels, dose-dependently. SP1-7 (0.01-0.1 nmol), but not SP6-11 (0.1 nmol), blocked the stimulation of striatal DA release produced by intranigral SP (0.07 nmol). Neither SP1-7 (0.1 nmol) nor SP6-11 (0.1 nmol) could modify the stimulation of striatal DA release produced by intranigral NKA (0.09 nmol). The increase in DA release after a high dose of SP1-7 (1.0 nmol) was not modified by co-administration with Spantide I (0.07 nmol).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of γ-aminobutyric acid on lordosis behavior and dopamine activity in estrogen primed spayed female rats

In the first experiment the role of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the display of lordosis behavior was examined in septal-lesioned and sham-operated ovariectomized rats. Following estradiol benzoate (EB) priming, septal-lesioned rats were tested for lordosis behavior before and after bilateral infusion of picrotoxin or saline directly into the substantia nigra (SN). Sham animals were given the same behavioral tests but received intranigral infusion of either hydrazinopropionic acid (HPA) or saline. Picrotoxin, which blocks GABA receptors, was effective in suppressing the hhgh levels of lordosis behavior seen in the EB-primed septal-lesioned female rat 30 min after infusion, but not at 120 min. Conversely, HPA, which elevates endogenous GABA levels, was effective in facilitating lordosis behavior in sham-operated rats treated with EB only. The lordosis quotient was moderately increased 30 min after HPA infusion, reached high levels at 120 min, and returned to low levels by 360 min post-infusion, demonstrating the reversibility of the drug effect. Saline infusions in lesioned and sham-operated controls were without effect. In the second experiment septal-lesioned and sham-operated rats were primed with EB and infused with the drugs as in the first experiment, but were sacrificed at the time the maximal behavioral effect has been observed in the first experiment. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity and dopamine (DA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) levels were measured. No effect on TH activity was found. However, sham-operated rats receiving HPA infusions had lower DA and receiving picrotoxin infusions had higher DA and HVA levels than those of lesioned saline-injected controls. Septal-lesioned saline-infused rats also showed decreased DA and HVA levels relative to sham-operated saline-infused animals. These results support the concept of a GABA inhibitory neuronal feedback system which modulates DA turnover and perhaps plays a critical role in the neural control of lordosis behavior.     

Dopamine release rather than content in the caudate putamen is associated with behavioral changes in the iron rat model of Parkinson's disease

The effects of intranigral iron injection on dopamine (DA) release and content in the caudate putamen (CPu) and their relationship to DA-related behavioral response were investigated in rats. Different concentrations of FeCl(3) (10, 20, and 40 microg) and saline were injected separately into the left substantia nigra. In some experiments, rats were pretreated with desferrioxamine or saline before iron injection. After 3 weeks, changes in behavioral response, DA release, and DA content in the CPu were determined. In all iron injection groups (10, 20, and 40 microg), DA content in the lesioned side of the brain was significantly decreased, showing a significant linear correlation (R(2) = 0.981, P = 0.01), and DA turnover ratio significantly increased (both P = 0.01, 0.01 and 0.001 vs unlesioned sides, respectively). However, injection dosages of 10 or 20 microg of iron did not lead to significant changes in DA release in the CPu or in behavioral response. At the 40-microg dosage, it was found that DA release in the lesioned side and rearing activity both were significantly reduced (all P = 0.01 vs unlesioned side or control) and apomorphine-induced rotation was observed. Pretreatment with desferrioxamine significantly inhibited the effect of iron on DA release and content. These results demonstrate that iron injection can damage dopaminergic neurons and suggest that DA release, rather than DA content, in the CPu is associated with DA-related behavioral changes in this PD model.     

氯化锂对PD小鼠黑质多巴胺能神经元保护作用的实验研究

目的研究氯化锂(LiCL)对KM小鼠中脑黑质受损伤的多巴胺能神经元的保护作用。方法利用1-甲基4-苯基1,2,3,6四氢吡啶(MPTP)腹腔注射以损伤小鼠中脑黑质多巴胺(DA)能神经元,再将实验动物分实验组,腹腔注射氯化锂;实验对照组,腹腔注射PBS;和空白对照组(MPTP注射后不再注射其他物质)。动物存活一周后,一部分取其中脑黑质节段,固定、包埋做连续冠状石蜡切片,以免疫组织化学染色方法,显示各组酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)和钙结合蛋白(CB)表达阳性细胞,光镜观察并细胞计数,统计学分析;另一部分取其中脑黑质组织匀浆,行TH、CB的Westernblot测量,用Labworks软件分析处理。结果免疫组织化学染色结果显示:实验组小鼠黑质致密部TH与CB阳性神经元数量显著多于实验对照组;Westernblot免疫印迹结果显示:实验组TH、CB蛋白含量表达水平显著多于实验对照组。结论氯化锂对成年PD小鼠黑质多巴胺能神经元具有保护作用,且这种保护作用可能与细胞内CB表达增加有关。     

Relation between rotation in the 6-OHDA lesioned rat and dopamine loss in striatal and substantia nigra subregions

The relation between the rotation response to drug-induced activation of the dopamine (DA) receptor in the rat unilaterally lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in the substantia nigra (SN) and the loss of DA in subregions of the SN and caudate-putamen (C/PUT) is not clear. Here this relation was examined in 23 rats classified as rotators to amphetamine (5 mg/kg). After their response was characterized in terms of ipsilateral rotation, contralateral rotation, and oral stereotypy in one place, they were divided into high, medium, low, and very low rotators. The loss of DA in each group was visualized on brain sections immunoreacted to tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The density of the TH label on the side of the lesion was compared to that on the intact side. In the ventral midbrain, the density was determined in the SN subdivided into far lateral, lateral, central, and medial subregions and also in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In the forebrain, it was determined in the C/PUT subdivided into lateral, central, and medial subregions and also in the nucleus accumbens (ACC). These measurements led to three principal findings. The first was a positive overall correlation between rotation and loss of TH label. The second was a correlation between rotation and penetration of the loss from the lateral subregions into more medial areas. The third was a larger loss in SN and VTA (midbrain) than in C/PUT and ACC (forebrain). These findings show that rotation depended not only on the overall loss of DA but also on its distribution across subregions. The loss in the lateral subregion, always the largest regardless of the rate of rotation, may have been the first step in inducing the motor abnormality, and the loss in the central and medial subregions may have served to enhance the abnormality due to the loss in the lateral subregion.     

Long-term high-frequency electro-acupuncture stimulation prevents neuronal degeneration and up-regulates BDNF mRNA in the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area following medial forebrain bundle axotomy

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been used in China for many years to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) with reportedly effective results. However, the physiological and biological mechanism behind its effectiveness is still unknown. In the present study, different frequencies of chronic EA stimulation (0, 2, 100 Hz) were tested in a partially lesioned rat model of PD which was induced by transection of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB). After 24 sessions of EA stimulation (28 days after MFB transection), dopaminergic neurons in the ventral midbrain were examined by immunohistochemical staining, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA levels in ventral midbrain were measured by in situ hybridization. The results show a marked decrease of dopaminergic neurons on the lesioned side of the substantia nigra (SN) comparing with the unlesioned side. Zero Hz and 2 Hz EA stimulation had no effect on the disappearance of dopaminergic neurons. However, after 100 Hz EA, about 60% of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons remained on the lesioned side of the SN. In addition, levels of BDNF mRNA in the SN and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the lesioned side were significantly increased in the 100 Hz EA group, but unchanged in the 0 and 2 Hz groups. Our results suggest that long-term high-frequency EA is effective in halting the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the SN and up-regulating the levels of BDNF mRNA in the subfields of the ventral midbrain. Activation of endogenous neurotrophins by EA may be involved in the regeneration of the injured dopaminergic neurons, which may underlie the effectiveness of EA in the treatment of PD.     

PD大鼠健侧纹状体多巴胺能系统的功能性改变

应用快速周期伏安法 (FCV)在体监测电刺激内侧前脑束 (MFB)诱发的正常和帕金森病 (PD)大鼠健侧及损毁侧纹状体 (Str)内多巴胺 (DA)的释放 ,并结合高效液相色谱电化学检测法 (HPLC ECD)测定Str内DA及其代谢产物的含量 ,从在体和离体水平分别对PD大鼠健侧及损毁侧Str区DA的释放及代谢进行观察及评价。实验采用自身对照 ,先用FCV监测DA的释放 ,后行HPLC ECD离体测定Str内DA及其代谢产物的含量。结果表明 :(1)在PD大鼠损毁侧 ,用FCV技术几乎不能监测到DA的释放 ,而在健侧Str区监测到的DA释放量远大于正常对照 (P <0 .0 1) ;(2 )高效液相色谱测定结果为 :PD大鼠健侧Str区DA ,DOPAC和HVA的含量均在正常范围内 ,但DA的更新率与正常大鼠相比升高 (P <0 .0 5 )。损毁侧Str内DA及其代谢产物的含量均降低 (以DA的减少最明显 ) ,而DA的更新速度加快 (P <0 .0 1)。结果提示 :6 OHDA单侧损毁的PD大鼠损毁侧DA能系统的功能性改变对健侧有影响。     

Fetal intra-nigral ventral mesencephalon and kidney tissue bridge transplantation restores the nigrostriatal dopamine pathway in hemi-parkinsonian rats

We have previously demonstrated that intranigral transplantation of fetal ventral mesencephalic (VM) tissue and nigrostriatal administration of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) restores striatal dopamine input in hemiparkinsonian rats. Since it has been found that GDNF is highly expressed in fetal kidney, we examined the possibility that fetal kidney tissue may provide trophic support, similar to GDNF, to an intranigral dopamine (DA) transplant and restore the nigrostriatal pathway. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized and unilaterally injected with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the medial forebrain bundle. Completeness of the lesion was evaluated by measuring amphetamine-induced rotation. One month after 6-OHDA lesioning, fetal VM cells were grafted into the lesioned nigral area followed by transplantation of fetal kidney tissue or vehicle along a pathway from nigra to striatum. Animals receiving these transplants showed a significant decrease both in amphetamine-induced rotation and in postural asymmetry 1 to 3 months after grafting. Immunocytochemical studies demonstrated tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive fiber tracts in the lesioned striatum. Control animals that received vehicle injection after the intranigral graft or no transplantation showed no alterations in amphetamine-induced turning and no TH-positive fibers in the lesioned striatum. These results indicate that combinations of fetal nigral and kidney transplants may restore the nigrostriatal DA pathway in Parkinsonian rats. As fetal kidney contains a variety of trophic proteins, it may provide a synergistic admixture to optimally promote DA fiber outgrowth.