Title: The relationship between nigral cell apoptosis and different doses of L-dopa in normal rats and rats with Parkinson's disease
Abstract: Objective To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of levodopa on nigral cells and explore the method by which Parkinson's disease(PD) can be treated reasonably with levodopa. Methods One hundred 6-OHDA induced PD rats were assigned randomly into L-dopa group ( n =75) and PD group ( n =25). The rats in the former group were subdivided further into 3 subgroups (25 of each) and were treated respectively by intraperitoneal injections of Levodopa with different dosages (10 mg/kg/d, 50 mg/kg/d and 100 mg/kg/d). The cytotoxic effects on apoptosis of the nigral cells were observed at different durations( 1 d, 3 d, 5 d, 7 d) after the injections of levodopa. Parameters were compared among those groups, and 25 normal rats served as control. Results The number of substantia nigral apoptosis cells was increased and positively related to the changes of doses and durations of use of levodopa. Conclusion The Levodopa enhances the apoptosis of substantia nigra cells of PD rats, if it is given intermittantly and/or appropriate doses are used, its cytotoxic effect can be minimized.
Publication Year: 2002
Publication Date: 2002-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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