帕金森病小鼠模型黑质纹状体通路的形态学改变

目的 观察帕金森病小鼠模型黑质纹状体通路随病程进展而发生的形态学变化,从新的视角探讨帕金森病的病理生理机制。方法 正常C57小鼠36只,随机分为生理盐水组和1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶（MPTP）组,每组18只,于注射后第7、14、21、25、28、35天取材,利用免疫组织化学、免疫荧光技术和激光扫描共焦显微镜观察黑质多巴胺能神经元的数量、在纹状体内投射的神经纤维密度及其在纹状体直接通路和间接通路神经元（D1R/D2R阳性神经元）上的分布比例。结果 注射MPTP后,黑质多巴胺能神经元减少40%～50%;纹状体内多巴胺能神经纤维数量呈现先减少后增加的过程：第21天最少,仅为正常的20%;第35天最高,达到正常的45%;多巴胺能神经纤维在纹状体D1R/D2R阳性神经元上的分布比例也有先低后高的表现：第21天最低,第35天最高,与生理盐水组相比差异有显著性。结论 MPTP帕金森病模型小鼠的黑质纹状体通路呈现多巴胺能神经纤维再生现象,再生的多巴胺能神经纤维更多地分布于其直接通路的神经元上。     

Changes in Sleep during Degeneration of Neurons in the Substantia Nigra Induced by the Proteasome Inhibitor Lactacystin

Decreases in the activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome system lead to the accumulation of toxic forms of proteins and cell degeneration, including dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra; these neurons are characterized by proteasomes with low proteolytic activity, such that they are more susceptible, especially during exposure to neurotoxins and the development of Parkinson’s disease (BP). The aim of the present work was to use suppression of proteasome activity to develop an experimental model of the degeneration of substantia nigra cells not accompanied by impairments to motor behavior but leading to changes in the waking-sleep state as a measure of non-motor behavior. The optimum dose of the natural proteasome inhibitor lactacystin (0.4 μg) was determined and a model of the preclinical stage of BP was developed in Wistar rats. On day 14 after two doses (with weekly intervals) of bilaterally administered lactacystin into the substantia nigra, its action consisted of the degeneration of 28 % of dopaminergic neurons in the compact zone of the substantia nigra with no impairment to motor behavior, along with a 37 % increase in the total duration of REM sleep during the second half of the inactive phase of the day. These data, along with an increase in the tyrosine hydroxylase level in surviving cells (this is a key enzyme in dopamine synthesis), with an inverse correlation (r = –0.8, p < 0.01) between the number of surviving neurons and their tyrosine hydroxylase level, suggest the hypothesis that an increase in the duration of REM sleep may be a non-motor sign of the preclinical stage of BP, reflecting preservation of compensatory reserves in the nigrostriatal system.     

Genetic suppression of collapsin response mediator protein 2 phosphorylation improves outcome in methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine‐induced Parkinson’s model mice

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by slow and progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Levodopa (l ‐Dopa), the current main treatment for PD, supplies dopamine, but it does not prevent neurodegeneration. There is thus no promising remedy for PD. Recent in vitro study showed the increase in the phosphorylation levels of Collapsin Response Mediator Protein 2 (CRMP2) is involved in dopaminergic axon degeneration. In the present study, we report elevation of CRMP2 phosphorylation in dopaminergic neurons in SNc after challenge with the dopaminergic neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), a common model for PD. Genetic suppression of CRMP2 phosphorylation by mutation of the obligatory Cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5)‐targeted serine‐522 site prevented axonal degradation in the nigrostriatal pathway of transgenic mice. As a result, the degree of MPTP‐induced motor impairment in the rotarod test was suppressed. These results suggest that suppression of CRMP2 phosphorylation may be a novel therapeutic target for PD.     

多聚ADP-核糖聚合酶抑制剂对帕金森病小鼠相关脑区病理变化的影响

目的研究帕金森病(Park inson’s d isease,PD)小鼠黑质和纹状体多巴胺(dopam inergic,DA)能神经元数量和超微结构的变化及多聚ADP-核糖聚合酶(poly(ADP-ribose)polym erase,PARP)抑制剂PJ34的干预作用。方法采用1-甲基-4-苯-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(1-m ethyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrid ine,MPTP)制备PD小鼠模型,并用PJ34进行干预,2h、24h、72h进行酪氨酸羟化酶(tyrosine hydroxylase,TH)免疫组化染色观察DA能神经元数量,透射电镜观察超微结构改变。结果与正常对照小鼠比较,PD小鼠黑质TH阳性神经元进行性减少,核膜皱缩,染色质凝聚成块并有边聚现象;纹状体TH阳性神经纤维稀疏,突触数量减少。与PD小鼠比较,PJ34干预组黑质TH阳性神经元明显增多,纹状体TH阳性神经纤维密度增加(P<0.01),细胞形态比模型组明显改善。结论PARP的活性改变在PD的发病过程中发挥重要作用,PARP抑制剂对DA能神经元有保护作用。     

Immunohistochemical and neurochemical studies on nigral and striatal functions in the circling (ci) rat, a genetic animal model with spontaneous rotational behavior

Asymmetrical spontaneous turning behavior or circling phenomena are often related to components of the dopaminergic system, particularly to an imbalance of nigrostriatal function. When a rotational preference is observed, it is typically in a direction away from the brain hemisphere with higher striatal dopaminergic transmission. We have recently described a rat mutant (ci) with spontaneous circling behavior and other signs of functional brain asymmetry. Neurochemical determinations showed that mutants of both genders have significantly lower concentrations of dopamine and dopamine metabolites in the striatum ipsilateral to the preferred direction of rotation. In the present study, we used immunohistochemical, neurochemical, and autoradiographic techniques to characterize the dopaminergic abnormalities of the ci rat mutant in more detail. Age-matched non-affected controls of the same strain were used for comparison. Immunohistochemical labeling of dopaminergic neurons and fibers in substantia nigra pars compacta, ventral tegmental area, and striatum did not indicate any significant neurodegeneration or asymmetry that could explain the lateralization in dopamine levels in striatum of ci rats. Neurochemical determinations substantiated that ci rats of both genders have a significant imbalance in striatal dopamine metabolism, but a similar significant lateralization was also seen in non-affected female controls. Comparison of dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline and several monoamine metabolite levels in substantia nigra, striatum, nucleus accumbens and frontal cortex of ci rats and controls did not disclose any marked difference between affected and non-affected animals which was consistently found in both genders. Quantitative autoradiographic determination of binding densities of dopamine transporter and D1 and D2 receptors in several parts of the striatum and substantia nigra indicated that ci rats have a significantly higher binding density of dopamine transporter and receptors than controls. Taken together, ci mutant rats of both genders exhibit an asymmetry in striatal dopamine and metabolite levels and an enhanced dopamine transporter and receptor binding, but the link of these differences in dopaminergic parameters with the rotational behavior of the animals is not clear yet. The lack of any significant dopaminergic cell loss in the substantia nigra and the locomotor hyperactivity observed in the mutants clearly suggest that the ci rat is not suited as a model of Parkinsonism but rather constitutes a model of a hyperkinetic motor syndrome.     

Differential nicotinic receptor expression in monkey basal ganglia: effects of nigrostriatal damage

Our previous work showed that there were marked declines in (125)I-alpha-conotoxin MII labeled nicotinic receptors in monkey basal ganglia after nigrostriatal damage, findings that suggest alpha3/alpha6 containing nicotinic receptors sites may be of relevance to Parkinson's disease. We now investigate whether there are differential changes in the distribution pattern of nicotinic receptor subtypes in the basal ganglia in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-lesioned animals compared to controls to better understand the changes occurring with nigrostriatal damage. To approach this we used (125)I-alpha-conotoxin MII, a marker for alpha3/alpha6 nicotinic receptors, and (125)I-epibatidine, a ligand that labels multiple nicotinic subtypes.The results demonstrate that there were medial to lateral gradients in nicotinic receptor distribution in control striatum, as well as ventromedial to dorsolateral gradients in the substantia nigra, which resembled those of the dopamine transporter in these same brain regions. Treatment with MPTP, a neurotoxin that selectively destroys dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons, led to a relatively uniform decrease in nicotinic receptor sites in the striatum, but a differential effect in the substantia nigra with significantly greater declines in the ventrolateral portion. Competition analysis in the striatum showed that alpha-conotoxin MII sensitive sites were primarily affected after lesioning, whereas multiple nicotinic receptor populations were decreased in the substantia nigra.From these data we suggest that in the striatum alpha3/alpha6 nicotinic receptors are primarily localized on dopaminergic nerve terminals, while multiple nicotinic receptor subtypes are present on dopaminergic cell bodies in the substantia nigra. Thus, if activation of striatal nicotinic receptors is key in the regulation of basal ganglia function, alpha3/alpha6-directed nicotinic receptor ligands may be more relevant for Parkinson's disease therapy. However, nicotinic receptor ligands with a broader specificity may be more important if receptors in the substantia nigra play a dominant role in controlling nigrostriatal activity.     

Emotional, cognitive and neurochemical alterations in a premotor stage model of Parkinson's disease

In addition to classic motor symptoms, Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by cognitive and emotional deficits, which have been demonstrated to precede motor impairments. The present study addresses the question of whether a partial degeneration of dopaminergic neurons using 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in rats is able to induce premotor behavioral signs. The time-course of nigrostriatal damage was evaluated by tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry and the levels of dopamine, noradrenaline, and 5-HT in various brain regions were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Behavioral tests that assessed a variety of psychological functions, including locomotor activity, emotional reactivity and depression, anxiety and memory were conducted on 6-OHDA lesioned rats. Bilateral infusion of 6-OHDA in the striatum of rats caused early (1 week) damage of dopaminergic terminals in striatum and in cell bodies in substantia nigra pars compacta. The nigrostriatal lesion was accompanied by early loss of dopamine in the striatum, which remained stable through a 3-week period of observation. In addition, a late (3 weeks) loss of dopamine in the prefrontal cortex, but not in the hippocampus, was seen. Additional noradrenergic and serotonergic alterations were observed after 6-OHDA administration. The results indicated that 6-OHDA lesioned rats show decreased sucrose consumption and an increased immobility time in the forced swimming test, an anhedonic-depressive-like effect. In addition, an anxiogenic-like activity in the elevated plus maze test and cognitive impairments were observed on the cued version of the Morris water maze and social recognition tests. These findings suggest that partial striatal dopaminergic degeneration and parallel dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic alterations in striatum and prefrontal cortex may have caused the emotional and cognitive deficits observed in this rat model of early phase PD.     

Striatal substance P cell clusters coincide with the high density terminal zones of the discontinuous nigrostriatal dopaminergic projection system in the cat: a study by combined immunohistochemistry and autoradiographic axon-tracing

A portion of the nigrostriatal projection that originates from presumably dopaminergic neurons in the caudal pars compacta of the substantia nigra and the suprajacent pars dorsalis (retrorubral area), was shown by [3H]amino acid autoradiographic tracing to distribute nonhomogeneously in the head of the caudate nucleus, such that zones of high density termination are in register with the archipelago of substance P cell clusters revealed immunohistochemically in the same and adjacent tissue sections of the cat's brain. Axons from this same portion of the substantia nigra distribute densely at caudal levels of the putamen where again substance P-immunoreactive striatal cells are numerous. In nearby tissue sections from the same cases, tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity suggested only subtle variations in the density of the catecholamine axon network within the striatum. Thus, whereas dopamine axons are distributed densely throughout the striatum, those originating from cells in the caudal pars compacta et dorsalis of the substantia nigra and ending in the head of the caudate nucleus appear to terminate preferentially within the substance P cell clusters. These data suggest that the striatal substance P cells, which send their axons selectively to the entopeduncular nucleus and substantia nigra, but much less so the globus pallidus, are a major target of nigrostriatal dopamine transmission. This result is discussed with respect to the anatomical, neurochemical and functional organization of the striatifugal projection system.     

Fluoro-JadeC染色方法显示神经毒物MPTP和红藻氨酸致小鼠中脑黑质神经元的变性死亡

为探讨Fluoro-JadeC荧光染色检测神经毒物MPTP和红藻氨酸(KA)损伤致中脑黑质神经元变性死亡的方法,本研究采用小鼠腹腔注射MPTP或黑质定位注射KA制备黑质损伤模型,然后进行Fluoro-JadeC染色标记和计数分析黑质内变性死亡神经元。结果显示:Fluoro-JadeC(FJC)染色可清晰地显示MPTP或KA致小鼠黑质损伤后出现的变性神经元,包括变性神经元的细胞胞体和突起。在中脑组织切片上,MPTP模型与KA模型黑质致密部内有许多FJC染色阳性的变性神经元,而对照组动物黑质内未见FJC染色阳性的变性神经元分布。本研究结果表明:FJC方法能够很好地显示MPTP和KA动物模型黑质内神经元的变性死亡,具备很高的对比度和分辨率,是一种特异性标记黑质变性神经元树突、轴突和胞体的优良染色方法。     

单唾液酸神经节苷脂(GM_1)对经MPTP破坏的小鼠黑质纹状体多巴胺神经元的保护作用

将1一甲基一4苯基一1.2.3.6四氢吡啶(MPTP)经腹腔注入小鼠,连续注射6天,一组动物注射后次日处死;另一组动物存活二周后处死;第三组动物在给予1—甲基一4苯基一1.2.3.6四氢吡啶的同时,经腹膜腔注射神经节苷脂持续三周;第四组为对照组.各组动物脑用酪氨酸羟化酶抗体进行免疫组化观察.结果发现1一甲基一4苯基一1.2.3.6四氢吡啶连续注射后次日处死的动物黑质致密部酪氨酸羟化酶阳性神经元数量明显减少,纹状体中酪氨酸羟化酶阳性终末亦明显稀疏.损害后存活二周组,不论黑质或纹状体的损害均略轻.单唾液酸神经节苷脂组黑质致密部酪氨酸羟化酶阳性神经元及纹状体中酪氨酸羟化酶阳性终末均较上两组明显增多.实验表明,单唾液酸神经节苷脂对经1一甲基一4苯基一1.2.3.6四氢吡啶破坏后的小鼠黑质纹状体系多巴胺神经元有保护作用,防止多巴胺神经元因损害引起的继发性退变.     

MPTP对小鼠黑质与纹状体KIF基因表达的影响

目的: 揭示1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(MPTP)对C57BL小鼠黑质与纹状体神经元驱动蛋白超家族(KIF)基因表达的影响。方法: 腹腔注射MPTP建立小鼠帕金森病动物模型,通过RT-PCR方法检测KIF1A、KIF2、KIF3A、KIF4与KIF5A基因的表达。结果: 在黑质中,MPTP造成KIF基因表达的普遍下降,只有KIF2基因表达无明显变化。在纹状体中则有所不同,KIF1A、KIF3A与KIF4基因表达上升,而KIF2与KIF5A表达的变化与在黑质中相似。结论: MPTP造成的神经黑质多巴胺能神经元丧失很可能与KIF基因表达的降低有关。     

Toxicity of MPTP on neurotransmission in three mouse models of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is recognized as the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease. PD is mainly characterized by a selective degeneration of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Also, it is observed imbalances in some nondopaminergic systems, including the serotonergic system. Serotonergic dysfunction appears to play a role in some parkinsonian symptoms, including motor function, l-dopa-induced dyskinesia, mood, psychosis, and constipation.The fact that 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) causes a parkinsonian syndrome was discovered in 1982 and has been used extensively and successfully in various mammalian species, including monkeys and mice, to produce an experimental model of PD.Three common dosing regimens of the MPTP-induced mice model of PD were compared on dopaminergic neurotransmission and serotonin levels in various brain regions.Results showed that tyrosine hydroxylase activity and dopaminergic transporter density were reduced in striatum and substantia nigra of mice and that this reduction was dependent on the cumulative dose of MPTP injected. Furthermore, for the three protocols, a decrease of dopamine (DA) level was observed in striatum, associated with a significant diminution of DA concentration in frontal cortex only for the chronic treatment. Moreover, a decrease of serotonin level was observed in midbrain and hippocampus of acute and sub-acute intoxicated-mice.In all, the results suggested that dosing regimen should be carefully pre-considered. Furthermore, the acute and sub-acute MPTP protocols represent good models of early, subclinical stages of PD, ideal in the development of neuroprotective strategies.     

Selective retention of MPP+ within the monoaminergic systems of the primate brain following MPTP administration: an in vivo autoradiographic study

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) selectively destroys dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta in humans and other primates, producing a parkinsonian condition. MPTP is metabolized to the toxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+) which is taken up by dopamine terminals. The subsequent events culminating in cell death in the substantia nigra pars compacta are not understood. To examine these events we first produced a chronic hemiparkinsonian condition in monkeys by administering a toxic dose of MPTP via the right carotid artery. One year later, these monkeys were given a trace dose of [14C]MPTP intravenously and allowed to survive 1, 3, or 10 days. In two acute conditions, monkeys were either given the radiolabeled trace dose intravenously immediately following the toxic intracarotid dose, or were given a single toxic intracarotid radiolabeled dose, and allowed to survive 1, 3, or 10 days. We show by histology and autoradiography that the chronic hemiparkinsonian condition is characterized by selective unilateral loss of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons and absence of MPP+ retention in the caudate-putamen. In the acute conditions, MPP+ is accumulated and selectively retained in high concentrations in the caudate-putamen bilaterally and throughout the nigrostriatal pathway only on the side receiving the toxic dose. In the substantia nigra pars compacta. MPP+ is accumulated in very low concentrations in the dopamine cell bodies and is not selectively retained there. At 10 days survival, the caudate-putamen on the side receiving the toxic dose loses its ability to retain MPP+. The apparent degeneration of the dopamine axon terminals in the caudate-putamen and the development of Parkinson-like behavioral signs seen at 10 days survival were observed to precede the loss of cell bodies in the substantia nigra, which appeared normal by the criteria of Nissl staining and neuromelanin content at all time points in the acute conditions. Other areas of dense MPP+ retention in all cases include noradrenergic and serotonergic cell groups and noradrenergic pathways. MPP+ in the locus coeruleus and other caudal catecholaminergic cell groups is apparently retrogradely transported there after uptake in terminal regions, and although it is retained in high concentrations, no cell loss occurs. These findings suggest that experimentally induced Parkinsonism results from molecular events initiated in the neostriatum and selectively elaborated in the nigrostriatal pathway, ultimately resulting in the death of substantia nigra pars compacta dopamine neurons. They do not support a significant role for neuromelanin binding in the toxicity of MPP+.     

Hypertrophy of dopamine neurons in the primate following ventromedial mesencephalic tegmentum lesion

Summary Morphological changes in ventral mesencephalic dopamine (DA) neurons of a monkey sustaining a unilateral electrolytic lesion of the ventromedial mesencephalic tegmentum four years earlier were examined. Substantia nigra (A9) DA neurons lateral to the lesion underwent hypertrophic changes. The mean area of these neurons was enlarged by approximately 30% relative to corresponding neurons in the contralateral substantia nigra. Semi-quantitative immunohistochemical measurements of the intensity of tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity (TH-li) indicated an increase in the amount of TH-li protein per cell in the hypertrophied neurons. Hypertrophic changes were also observed in ipsilateral A11 DA neurons of the caudal hypothalamus, suggesting that the increase in size was related to transection of the axons of DA neurons as they pass through the midbrain in their projections to target sites. The lesion did not overtly change the density or pattern of the substance P innervation of the substantia nigra, indicating that the striato- and pallido-nigral projections were spared by the lesion. These data suggest that hypertrophy may be a compensatory mechanism of dopaminergic neurons in response to partial lesions of the nigrostriatal system, and thus represent a morphological counterpart to the compensatory biochemical processes effected in response to partial lesions of the striatal dopaminergic innervation.     

血管活性肠肽在MPTP帕金森病模型小鼠的抗氧化应激作用

目的:研究血管活性肠肽(VIP)对1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(MPTP)诱导的帕金森病(PD)模型小鼠发挥抗氧化应激和神经保护作用。方法:雄性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为生理盐水(NS)组、MPTP组和MPTP+VIP组。Elisa法检测纹状体丙二醛(MDA)以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)的变化;免疫组织化学法观察中脑黑质纹状体系统酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)、星形胶质细胞特异性标记物胶质细胞纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)和小胶质细胞标志物离子钙结合蛋白(Iba-1)的表达变化;透射电子显微镜观察中脑黑质多巴胺能神经元的超微结构变化。结果:MPTP组与对照组相比,MDA水平显著增高,SOD和CAT的表达显著降低;给予VIP可显著抑制MDA的水平(P0.01),增强SOD和CAT的表达(P0.05)。与对照组相比,MPTP组小鼠GFAP和Iba-1的表达明显上升,TH表达明显下降;给予VIP可显著降低GFAP和Iba-1的表达(P0.05),而TH表达明显增强。透射电镜观察显示:NS组神经细胞和细胞器结构清晰完整;MPTP组神经细胞核膜内陷,线粒体空泡样变;MPTP+VIP组神经细胞和细胞器结构基本正常。结论:VIP能够抑制MPTP诱导PD小鼠中脑黑质星形胶质细胞和小胶质细胞的活化,对抗氧化应激,发挥神经保护作用。     

Susceptibility of ascending dopamine projections to 6-hydroxydopamine in rats: effect of hypothermia

The aims of this study were to determine (1) whether mesolimbic and nigrostriatal DA cell bodies degenerate to different extents after 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is administered into their respective terminal fields and (2) whether hypothermia, associated with sodium pentobarbital anesthesia, protects DA neurons from the toxic effects of 6-OHDA. To address these questions, 6-OHDA or vehicle was infused into either the ventral or dorsal striatum or into the medial forebrain bundle, under conditions of brain normothermia or hypothermia. Two weeks post-surgery, tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cell bodies were counted in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and substantia nigra. In addition, autoradiographic labeling of tyrosine hydroxylase protein and dopamine transporter was quantified in dopamine terminal fields and cell body areas. Overall, DA cell bodies in the VTA were substantially less susceptible than those in the substantia nigra to depletion of dopaminergic markers. Hypothermia provided two types of neuroprotection. The first occurred when 6-OHDA was administered into the dorsal striatum, and was associated with a 30-50% increase in residual dopaminergic markers in the lateral portion of the VTA. The second neuroprotective effect of hypothermia occurred when 6-OHDA was given into the medial forebrain bundle. This was associated with a 200-300% increase in residual dopaminergic markers in the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal terminal fields; no significant protection occurred in the cell body regions.Collectively, these findings show that (1) the dopaminergic somata in the substantia nigra are more susceptible than those in the VTA to 6-OHDA-induced denervation, and (2) hypothermia can provide anatomically selective neuroprotection within the substantia nigra-VTA cell population. The continued survival of mesolimbic dopamine cell bodies after a 6-OHDA lesion may have functional implications relating to drugs of abuse, as somatodendritic release of dopamine in the VTA has been shown to play a role in the effectiveness of cocaine reward.     

Partial protection from the dopaminergic neurotoxin N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine by four different antioxidants in the mouse

C57 black mice given a single injection of N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), 40 mg/kg, developed marked reduction of striatal dopamine content and loss of dopaminergic neurons in the zona compacta of the substantia nigra. However, pretreatment with any one of four different antioxidants, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid or N-acetylcysteine, significantly decreased MPTP-induced striatal dopamine loss, and alpha-tocopherol prevented neuronal loss in the substantia nigra. Four chemical analogues of MPTP (cinnamaldehyde, N,N-dimethylcinnamylamine, arecoline and 2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6,7-isoquinolinediol) were all found to lack dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurotoxicity in the mouse.     

氯胺酮对帕金森病小鼠模型α-突触核蛋白表达的影响

目的:观察氯胺酮(ketamine,Ket)对1-甲基-4-苯基-1,2,3,6-四氢吡啶(1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine,MPTP)诱导的帕金森病(Parkinson's disease,PD)小鼠模型黑质-纹状体区α-突触核蛋白(α-synuclein,α-Syn)异常表达的影响。方法:选取48只健康雄性小鼠随机分为3组:对照组(NaCl组)、模型组(MPTP组)和治疗组(MPTP+Ket组)。采用rotarod实验和gait analysis system评价3组小鼠行为学差异;免疫组化染色观察黑质区酪氨酸羟化酶阳性神经元数目变化;免疫荧光染色和Western blot检测小鼠脑黑质-纹状体区α-Syn的表达。结果:(1)Rotarod实验及gait analysis system结果显示,MPTP组较NaCl组转棒仪圈数减少,步距减小(P0.05),MPTP+Ket组较MPTP组转棒仪圈数增加,步距增宽(P0.05);(2)免疫组化及免疫荧光实验结果表明,MPTP组较NaCl组多巴胺能神经元数目减少,黑质-纹状体区荧光强度增加(P0.05),MPTP+Ket组较MPTP组多巴胺能神经元数目增多,荧光强度减少(P0.05);(3)Western blot实验结果显示,MPTP组较NaCl组黑质-纹状体区的α-Syn表达增多(P0.05),而MPTP+Ket组较MPTP组的α-Syn表达量减少(P0.05)。结论:氯胺酮对PD小鼠黑质-纹状体区α-Syn异常表达具有抑制作用。     

Diffusion tensor imaging in a rat model of Parkinson's disease after lesioning of the nigrostriatal tract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterised by degeneration of the nigrostrial connection causing dramatic changes in the dopaminergic pathway underlying clinical pathology. Till now, no MRI tools were available to follow up any specific PD‐related neurodegeneration. However, recently, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) has received considerable attention as a new and potential in vivo diagnostic tool for various neurodegenerative diseases. To assess this in PD, we performed DTI in the acute 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) rat model of PD to evaluate diffusion properties in the degenerating nigrostriatal pathway and its connecting structures. Injection of a neurotoxin in the striatum causes retrograde neurodegeneration of the nigrostriatal tract, and selective degeneration of nigral neurons. The advantage of this model is that the lesion size is well controllable by the injected dose of the toxin. The degree of functional impairment was evaluated in vivo using the amphetamine rotation test and µPET imaging of the dopamine transporter (DAT). Despite a nearly complete lesion of the nigrostriatal tract, DTI changes were limited to the ipsilateral substantia nigra (SN). In this study we demonstrate, using voxel‐based statistics (VBS), an increase in fractional anisotropy (FA), whereas all eigenvalues were significantly decreased. VBS enabled us to visualise neurodegeneration of a cluster of neurons but failed to detect degeneration of more diffuse microstructures such as the nigrostriatal fibres or the dopaminergic endings in the striatum. VBS without a priori information proved to be better than manual segmentation of brain structures as it does not suffer from volume averaging and is not susceptible to erroneous segmentations of brain regions that show very little contrast on MRI images such as SN. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.