Ethyl pyruvate has a neuroprotective effect through activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in Parkinson's disease model

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2010 Apr 9;394(3):854-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.03.105. Epub 2010 Mar 20.

Abstract

Ethyl pyruvate (EP), a simple derivative of endogenous pyruvate, has an anti-inflammatory function. Recently, the protective neurological effects of EP have been reported in cell culture and animal models of neurological diseases. The present study investigates the protective effects of EP on dopaminergic cell death in Parkinson's disease models. The selective death of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra was prevented by EP in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine mouse models. EP also suppressed the 1-methyl-4-pyridinium-induced cell death of SH-SY5Y cells and restored the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Thus, EP has neuroprotective effects of EP in Parkinson's disease and its related signaling pathways.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Cell Line
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Dopamine Agents / pharmacology
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Parkinson Disease / enzymology
  • Parkinson Disease / prevention & control*
  • Pyruvates / pharmacology*
  • Substantia Nigra / drug effects
  • Substantia Nigra / enzymology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Dopamine Agents
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Pyruvates
  • ethyl pyruvate
  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • Dopamine