Experimental study on dynamic regulation of acetylcholine in striatum of rat parkinson disease model and behavior observation

Abstract

In order to explore the role of acetylcholine in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), the changes in the concentration of acetylcholine (Ach) in the striatum, the apoptosis of substantia nigra cells, the ultrastructure and the changes of Nissl cells in rats during the morbidity of PD, and the corresponding behaviors in rats with PD were observed. Rat PD model was established by using the modified Thomas method. Eighty-one rats were randomly divided into normal control, sham operation and PD groups and their behavior features were observed at post-operative day (POD) 7, 14 and 21 as three subgroups (n=9 each). The concentration of Ach in the striatum was determined by using high-performance liquid chromatography. The apoptosis of substantia nigra cells was assayed by using TUNEL method. The ultrastructural changes in the substantia nigra were observed under the electron microscopy, and the survival of neurons in the substantia nigra area was examined by using Nissl staining. In PD group at POD 7 to 21, the damage in the substantia nigra area was gradually aggravated, the concentration of Ach, apoptosis rate and turns of rotation were gradually increased, and the number of Nissl cells was gradually reduced over the time as compared with the normal control and sham operation groups (all P<0.05). It was concluded that there exist dynamic changes in Ach concentration, ethology and apoptosis of the substantia nigra cells during the morbidity of PD, suggesting the contribution of apoptosis to the morbidity of PD, and critical role of Ach in the pathogenesis of PD.