Title: Effect of Nimodipine on the expression of Bcl-2 and P53 protein in dopaminergic neurons of rats with Parkinson’s disease
Abstract: Objective This study examined the effect of Nimodipine on the expression of Bcl-2 and P53 protein in dopaminergic neurons of rats with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in order to explore neuroprotective effects of Nimodipine. Methods Rat PD model was prepared by 6-OHDA injection, and rotational behaviors were induced by apomorphine (PD model group, n=25). Another 25 rats were pretreated with Nimodipine (10 mg/kg/d) 2 weeks prior to 6-OHDA injection (Nimodipine-pretreated group) and rotational behaviors were induced 15 days later. Another 40 PD!rats were randomly treated with Nimodipine (10 mg/kg/d), Levodopa (15 mg/kg/d), Nimodipine + Levodopa or normal saline and then rotational behaviors were induced by apomorphine. Expression of Bcl-2 and P53 protein in dopaminergic neurons was detected by HE, TH, Bcl-2 and P53 staining. Results The expression of Bcl-2 protein in the right pars compacta of substantia nigra (SNc) of the Nimodipine-pretreat and the PD model group was significantly lower, but P53 protein expression was significantly higher than that of the sham-operated and the normal control groups (P0.05). The Nimodipine-pretreated group showed higher Bcl-2 protein expression and lower P53 protein expression in the right SNc than the PD model group. There were no significant differences in the expression of Bcl-2 protein and P53 protein among the Nimodipine, the Levodopa, the Nimodipine + Levodopa, and the normal saline groups. Conclusions Nimodipine can up-regulate Bcl-2 protein expression and down-regulate P53 protein expression and thus attenuates the apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons.
Publication Year: 2007
Publication Date: 2007-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
Access and Citation
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot