Abstract
BackgroundStudies have suggested the supplementation of Zinc and Linoleic acid in the management of neurodegenerative disorders but none has investigated the combined effects. Little is known about the neuroprotective effects of either Zinc or Linoleic acid or their combination against development of Parkinsonism. This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Zinc and Linoleic acid in rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in rats.MethodsThirty-six young adult female rats weighing 100–150 g divided into six groups were used. Rats were induced with Parkinsonism by subcutaneous administration of rotenone (2.5 mg/kg) once a day for seven consecutive days. The rats received dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)/Olive oil or rotenone dissolved in DMSO/Olive oil. Groups III and IV received Zinc (30 mg/kg) or Linoleic acid (150 µl/kg) while group V received a combination of both, 2 weeks prior to rotenone injection. Groups II and VI served as negative (rotenone group) and positive (Levodopa groups) controls respectively. Oxidative stress levels were assessed by estimating Lipid peroxidation (MDA), total antioxidant capacity, Superoxide dismutase, reduced Glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the midbrain. Histological examination was done to assess structural changes in the midbrain.ResultsThere was a significant prevention in lipid peroxidation and decrease in the antioxidant status in intervention-treated groups as compared to the rotenone treated group. In addition, histological examination revealed that Parkinsonian rat brains exhibited neuronal damage. Cell death and reduction in neuron size induced by rotenone was prevented by treatment with zinc, linoleic acid and their combination.ConclusionThese results suggest that zinc and linoleic acid and their combination showed significant neuroprotective activity most likely due to the antioxidant effect.
Highlights
Studies have suggested the supplementation of Zinc and Linoleic acid in the management of neurodegenerative disorders but none has investigated the combined effects
The oxidative stress brings about death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta
The initiators of these cascade of processes associated with generation of oxidative stress in the nigral dopaminergic neurons are thought to be the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during inflammation of the neurons, dysfunction of the mitochondria and metabolism of dopamine [22]
Summary
Studies have suggested the supplementation of Zinc and Linoleic acid in the management of neurodegenerative disorders but none has investigated the combined effects. This study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Zinc and Linoleic acid in rotenone-induced Parkinsonism in rats. Parkinsonism is a general term that refers to neurological disorder that causes movement disorders These disorders include supranuclear palsy, vascular Parkinsonism, dementia with Lewy bodies, corticobasal degeneration and drug induced-Parkinsonism [44]. The consequence of nigrostriatal fibre degeneration is a loss of nerve endings in the striatum which contain tyrosine hydroxylase, and a reduced production of dopamine in the striatum This produces tremor bradykinesia, rigidity and postural instability [18]. This leads to cellular dysfunction [19]. Micronutrients and trace elements have been described as key components in the combat against these ROS and the onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders [5]
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