Effects of scorpion venom heat-resistant protein on intracerebral NO synthase of mice with Parkison's disease

De Qin Yu, Sheng Ming Yin, Yan Peng, Xi Gao, Jie Zhao, Yi Yuan Tang, Wan Qin Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: To observe the effects of scorpion venom heat-resistant protein (SVHRP) on the locomotor ability and immunoreactivity (IR) of neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in C57BL/6 mice with Parkinson's disease induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Methods: C57BL/6 Mice were sc injected with MPTP (20 mg/kg) for 8 d, then the pole test and swimming test were conducted to testify their motor harmony in SVHRP group. Immunocytochemistry was used to observe the change of TH-IR positive neurons in substantia nigra and nNOS-IR positive neurons in caudatum, respectively. Results: The results indicated that MPTP model mice showed locomotor deficits after the damage of dopaminergic neurons. Meanwhile, the number of nNOS-IR positive neurons in caudatum increased as compared to the normal group. Furthermore, the therapy group had no difference in locomotor harmony compared with the normal control group, but the number of nNOS-IR positive neurons in caudatum decreased significantly as compared to the model group. Conclusion: This study suggests that the increase of nNOS in caudatum may play a role in improvement of locomotor disability. SVHRP exerts neuroprotection in MPTP-treated C57BL/6 mice via decreasing nNOS in the caudatum. NO may be related to the protective mechanism.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1359-1362
Number of pages4
JournalChinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs
Volume37
Issue number9
StatePublished - Sep 2006

Keywords

  • 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)
  • Neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Scorpion venom heat-resistant protein (SVHRP)

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