Protection of SNpc neurons by water soluble CoQ10 in a paraquat induced rat model of Parkinson's disease: The role of neurotrophic factors

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder that results from the progressive loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Studies show that mitochondrial dysfunction/oxidative stress is a major contributor to this disease. Currently there is no treatment to halt the progression of PD. Recently we have shown that water‐soluble coenzyme Q10 (WS‐CoQ10, NRC technology licensed to Zymes LLC) prevents the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the SNpc and ameliorates the symptoms of paraquat (PQ)‐inducted PD in the rat model. We have observed that there is activation of astroglia in the brains of WS‐CoQ10 treated animals. Whether this activation plays a role in protecting SNpc neurons is unknown. It is possible that activated astroglia cells produce neurotrophic factors that may protect neurons under oxidative stress. We analyzed brain tissue samples from PQ treated PD rats fed with either placebo or WS‐CoQ10 for DA neurons, activation of astroglia and levels of various neurotrophic growth factors. We observed significant protection of DA neurons in the SNpc, activated astroglia and increased levels of BDNF and GDNF in WS‐CoQ10 fed rats. These results indicate that WS‐CoQ10 treatment could activate astroglia that produce high levels of BDNF and GDNF and could provide protection to the DA neurons against PQ toxicity and may be used to halt PD progression.Funded by CIHR.