Neuroprotective effects of edaravone on dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's mice

Abstract

Objective To explore the neuroprotective effects of edaravone in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-C57BL/6J-Parkinson’s disease(PD)model mice and the related mechanisms.Methods Totally 90male C57BL/6Jmice were evenly randomized into edaravone(ED)group,PD model group and normal saline(NS)group. Subcutaneous injection of MPTP was used to make PD model,and ED group was then administered with ED(3 mg/kg). Rotarod number was detected by rotarod test.Tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-ir)neurons expression in the substantia nigra(SN)of mice was observed by immunohistochemistry staining.Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) mRNA and protein expression in the SN of mice were tested by RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis,respectively. Results Compared with NS group,rotarod numbers in ED and PD groups were significantly less(P0.05,P0.01),the number of TH-ir neurons in SN was significantly reduced(P0.05,P0.01),and BDNF mRNA (all P0.01)and protein (all P0.05)expression was significantly decreased.Compared with PD mice,rotarod number in ED mice was significantly more(P0.05),the number of TH-ir neurons in the SN was significantly increased(P0.05),and BDNF mRNA (P0. 01)and protein(P0.05)expression was significantly enhanced.Conclusion ED can increase the expression of BDNF mRNA and protein in the SN of C57BL/6J-PD model mice,alleviate MPTP damage,and has a protection effect on dopaminergic neurons.