Uptake of N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and the N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) into fetal mouse brain through the placenta |
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Authors: | Y Ohya M Naoi N Ochi N Mizutani K Watanabe T Nagatsu |
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Institution: | Department of Pediatrics, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan. |
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Abstract: | The neurotoxin N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) was found to be taken up into fetal mice through the placenta from a maternal mouse. C57 black mice were mated and MPTP (30 mg/kg) was given intramuscularly at the 18th day of gestation. Definite amounts of MPTP were detected in fetal brains by assay using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at 1 h after MPTP injection, and much higher contents of MPTP were found in maternal brains, too. An oxidative product of MPTP, the N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), was also detected in brains of both mother and fetus and its concentrations in their brains were followed at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 h after MPTP injection. The time to reach the maximal MPP+ concentration in brains was different between mother and fetus; 1 h and 3 h respectively. In addition to brain, considerable amounts of MPP+ were found in fetal liver, maternal liver and kidney, and in the placenta. |
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