Differential time courses of exogenous 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3, 6-tetrahydropyridine and its metabolite MPP+ in the rat striatum and nucleus accumbens measured using in vivo voltammetry

Cooperative synthesis of dopamine by non-dopaminergic neurons as a compensatory mechanism in the striatum of mice with MPTP-induced Parkinsonism

Since the late 80s it has been repeatedly shown that besides dopaminergic neurons, the brain contains so-called monoenzymatic neurons possessing one of the enzymes of dopamine (DA) synthesis, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). However, the data on the existence of monoenzymatic neurons in the striatum remain controversial, and little is known about their functional significance. The aim of this study was to test our hypothesis that monoenzymatic TH-containing neurons produce DA in cooperation with the neurons containing AADC, which might help to compensate DA deficiency under the failure of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. Using a combination of techniques: retrograde tracing, qPCR and immunolabeling for TH, AADC and MAP2, we showed that the striatum of mice with normal and degraded dopaminergic system comprises of monoenzymatic TH- and AADC-containing neurons. To provide evidence for cooperative synthesis of DA, we used an ex vivo model of inhibiting of DA synthesis by blocking transport of l-DOPA, produced in monoenzymatic TH-containing neurons, to neurons containing AADC by means of l-leucine, a competitive inhibitor of the membrane transporter of large neutral amino acids, and l-DOPA. With this original approach, cooperative synthesis of DA in the striatum was proven in MPTP-treated mice but not in the control. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the proportion of DA produced through cooperative synthesis in the striatum of MPTP-treated mice increases as the degradation of dopaminergic system proceeds. An increase in the proportion of cooperative synthesis of DA alongside degradation of the dopaminergic system is also proved by an increase of both TH gene expression and the number of TH-immunoreactive structures in the striatum. Thus, these data suggest that the cooperative synthesis of DA in the degraded striatum is an up-regulated compensatory reaction, which plays an increasing role as DA deficiency rises, and might be considered among the principal mechanisms of neuroplasticity in neurodegenerative diseases.

Modeling of presymptomatic and symptomatic stages of parkinsonism in mice

A degradation of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA-ergic) system is the key component of pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Initial clinical symptoms appear 20-30 years after the onset of neurodegeneration, at a 70% DA depletion in the striatum and a 50% loss of nigral DA-ergic neurons. Low efficacy of the therapy might be improved if preclinical diagnostics and preventive therapy are developed. The development of appropriate experimental models should precede clinical trials. This multidisciplinary study first managed to model in mice with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) all together the following stages of parkinsonism: (a) the early presymptomatic stage manifested by a subthreshold degeneration of axons and DA depletion in the striatum without loss of nigral cell bodies; (b) the advanced presymptomatic stage manifested by a subthreshold degeneration of striatal axons and DA depletion and by a subthreshold loss of nigral cell bodies; (c) the advanced presymptomatic stage characterized by threshold depletion of striatal DA and a loss of DA-ergic axons and nigral cell bodies resulting in motor dysfunction. The degeneration of axons proceeds and prevails that of cell bodies suggesting higher sensitivity to MPTP of the former. Compensatory processes were developed in parallel to neurodegeneration that was manifested by the increase of the DA content in individual nigral cell bodies and DA turnover in the striatum. The developed models might be exploited for: (a) an examination of pathogenetic mechanisms not only in the nigrostriatal system but also in other brain regions and in the periphery; (b) a study of the compensatory mechanisms under DA deficiency; (c) a search of precursors of motor disorders and peripheral biomarkers in presymptomatic parkinsonism; (d) the development of preventive therapy aiming to slow down the neurodegeneration and strengthen compensatory processes. Thus, the models of the early and advanced presymptomaic stages and of the early symptomatic stage of parkinsonism were developed in mice with MPTP.

Behavioral activity and stereotypy in rats induced by L-DOPA metabolites: a possible role in the adverse effects of chronic L-DOPA treatment of Parkinson's disease

L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is a common and effective treatment for Parkinson's disease, but dyskinesia continues to be a serious adverse effect with chronic use. Evidence suggests that L-DOPA induces increases in dopamine, which then binds to supersensitive dopamine receptors, resulting in dyskinesia. We have shown previously that L-DOPA directly causes stereotypy in rats, suggesting that chronic L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia is also caused by L-DOPA itself. This raises the possibility that other L-DOPA metabolites have a role in dyskinesia. We examined the behavioral effects of five L-DOPA metabolites (3-methoxytyramine, 3-MT; 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, DOPAC; dopamine; homovanillic acid, and 3-o-methyl-DOPA) in rats. A unilateral, intracerebroventricular injection of 3-MT (10-200 microg, 40 microl) over 30 min, dose-dependently increased behavioral activity and stereotypy. This effect was suppressed by the dopamine D1/5-receptor antagonist SCH 23390, but not by the dopamine D2/3/4-receptor antagonist sulpiride. Dopamine denervation resulted in behavioral supersensitivity to 3-MT. Neither dopamine nor DOPAC levels increased in the striatum after 3-MT administration, as measured using in vivo voltammetry. The behavioral changes paralleled a rise in 3-MT in the contralateral striatum. DOPAC also caused behavioral changes and stereotypy, but to a smaller degree than 3-MT. Dopamine-denervated rats did not exhibit a supersensitive response to DOPAC, however. Other L-DOPA metabolites did not cause behavioral effects. These data suggest that 3-MT directly induced dopamine-D1/5-receptor-mediated behavioral changes in rats, and that 3-MT may have a role in dyskinesia due to chronic L-DOPA treatment in Parkinson's disease patients.