The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology

Table of Contents - 2009 - Volume 12, Issue 03  

Research Article

Iptakalim protects against MPP+-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in association with astrocyte activation

Yan-Jing Yanga1a2*, Shu Zhanga1*, Jian-Hua Dinga1, Fang Zhoua1 and Gang Hua1 c1

a1 Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China

a2 Dental Research Institute, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P.R. China

Abstract

Astrocyte activation observed in the MPTP mouse model and Parkinson's disease patients participates in the cascade of deleterious events that ultimately leads to death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). The present study aimed to elucidate whether inhibiting astrocyte activation was involved in the protective effects of iptakalim (Ipt), a novel ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, on MPP+-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. The results showed that Ipt could decrease MPP+-induced TNF-α release and p38 MAPK activation in reactive astrocytes. The effects of Ipt were reversed by the mitochondrial KATP blocker, 5-hydroxydecanoate, indicating that mitochondrial KATP channels participate in the regulation of astrocyte activation. Moreover, systematic administration of Ipt could significantly alleviate MPP+-induced behavioural symptoms in motor coordination, the loss of dopaminergic neurons, and the activation of astrocyte and microglia in the SNpc. Together, these findings suggest that Ipt may protect against MPP+-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons by inhibiting astrocyte activation and subsequent release of pro-inflammatory factors.

(Received March 19 2008)

(Reviewed May 06 2008)

(Revised July 07 2008)

(Accepted July 09 2008)

(Online publication August 13 2008)

Key Words:

Correspondence:

c1 Address for correspondence: G. Hu, M.D., Ph.D., Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Department of Pharmacology, Nanjing Medical University, 140 Hanzhong Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China. Tel.: +86-25-86863169 Fax: +86-25-86863108 E-mail: ghu@njmu.edu.cn

Footnotes

* These authors contributed equally to this work.

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