Histopathological and electrophysiological indices of rotenone-evoked dopaminergic toxicity: Neuroprotective effects of acetyl-L-carnitine

Neuroscience Letters
Sumit SarkarZbigniew K Binienda

Abstract

Exposure to the natural pesticide, rotenone, a potent mitochondrial toxin, leads to degeneration in striatal nerve terminals and nigral neurons. Rotenone-induced behavioral, neurochemical and neuropathological changes in rats mimic those observed in Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, protective effects of acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) in the brain dopaminergic toxicity after a prolonged exposure to rotenone were evaluated using electrophysiological and immunolabeling methods. Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected i.p. with rotenone alone (1 mg/kg) or rotenone with ALC (either 10 or 100 mg/kg; ALC10 or ALC100, respectively) once daily on days 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29, 31, 33 and 37. Control rats received either 100mg/kg ALC or vehicle (30% Solutol HS 15 in 0.9% saline) injections. Animals were weighed on injection days and monitored daily. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) was assessed within two days after treatment using compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) detected from the tail muscle through surface receiver electrodes installed around the distal part of the tail. Rats were perfused immediately after testing with 4% paraformaldehyde and immunohistochemical analysis of dopamine transporter (DAT)...Continue Reading

References

Apr 1, 1990·Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT·F GagnaireJ de Ceaurriz
Jan 1, 1988·Annual Review of Biochemistry·L L Bieber
Feb 1, 2003·Journal of Neurochemistry·Günter U HöglingerEtienne C Hirsch
Sep 15, 2004·Molecular Aspects of Medicine·Ashraf Virmani, Zbigniew Binienda
Aug 11, 2005·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·Yong RenJian Feng
Jan 10, 2008·Neuro-degenerative Diseases·B FrickerF René
Aug 5, 2008·CNS & Neurological Disorders Drug Targets·Supriti SamantarayNaren L Banik
Jan 2, 2014·Brain and Behavior·Craig F FerrisTakao Yagi

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Amygdala and Midbrain Dopamine

The midbrain dopamine system is widely studied for its involvement in emotional and motivational behavior. Some of these neurons receive information from the amygdala and project throughout the cortex. When the circuit and transmission of dopamine is disrupted symptoms may present. Here is the latest research on the amygdala and midbrain dopamine.

Astrocytes

Astrocytes are glial cells that support the blood-brain barrier, facilitate neurotransmission, provide nutrients to neurons, and help repair damaged nervous tissues. Here is the latest research.

Cardiac Conduction System

The cardiac conduction system is a specialized tract of myocardial cells responsible for maintaining normal cardiac rhythm. Discover the latest research on the cardiac conduction system here.

Astrocytes & Neurodegeneration

Astrocytes are important for the health and function of the central nervous system. When these cells stop functioning properly, either through gain of function or loss of homeostatic controls, neurodegenerative diseases can occur. Here is the latest research on astrocytes and neurodegeneration.

Astrocytes in Parkinson Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons. Some PD-genes may be associated with astrocyte dysfunction. Discover the latest research on astrocytes in Parkinson's disease here.

Astrocytes in Repair & Regeneration

Astrocytes are glial cells found within the CNS and are able to regenerate new neurons. They become activated during CNS injury and disease. The activation leads to the transcription of new genes and the repair and regeneration of neurons. Discover the latest research on astrocytes in repair and regeneration here.