Abstract
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been shown to have beneficial effects on Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this study was to investigate if the DHA acts on neurons of substantia nigra (SN) by phosphorylation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in an experimental mouse model of PD. An experimental model of PD was created by intraperitoneal injections (4 × 20 mg/kg) of the neurotoxin 1-methyl-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Three-month-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups as follows: control (C), DHA-treated (DHA), MPTP-injected (MPTP) and DHA-treated and MPTP-injected (DHA + MPTP). DHA (36 mg/kg/day) was administered daily by gavage for four weeks. Motor activity of the mice was evaluated with pole, locomotor activity and rotarod tests. Caspase-3 activity, nitrate/nitrite and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) levels were determined by spectrophotometric assays. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize and assess the expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), nNOS and phospho-nNOS (p-nNOS) in SN. An increased return and total down time in the MPTP group was observed in the pole test, while DHA treatment decreased both parameters. The ambulatory activity, total distance and total locomotor activities were decreased in the MPTP group, whereas they were increased by DHA treatment. MPTP-treated animals exhibited shorter time on the rod test which was significantly increased by DHA treatment. DHA administration significantly decreased 4-HNE and nitrate/nitrite levels of SN supernatants and protected the TH (+) dopaminergic neurons of SN in the DHA + MPTP group compared to the MPTP group. DHA treatment significantly decreased nNOS and increased p-nNOS immunoreactivities in the DHA + MPTP group compared to the MPTP group. These results indicate that DHA treatment protects dopaminergic neurons in SN via increasing nNOS serine 852 phosphorylation in the experimental mice model of PD.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
