Pyrroloquinoline quinone-conferred neuroprotection in rotenone models of Parkinson's disease

Toxicol Lett. 2015 Nov 4;238(3):70-82. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.08.011. Epub 2015 Aug 11.

Abstract

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a redox cofactor in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, has proven to protect neurons against glutamate-induced damage both in vitro and in vivo. This study was aimed to investigate the possible neuroprotective effects of PQQ in rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) model. Pre-treatment with PQQ prevented cultured SH-SY5Y cells from rotenone-induced apoptosis, accompanied by modulation of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax and Smac), restoration of the mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibition of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, suppression of tyrosine residues nitration, and dopamine redistribution. PQQ also exerted protective effects in an in vivo PD model, which was created by rotenone injection into the medial forebrain bundle of rats. Co-injection with PQQ and rotenone improved the apomorphine-evoked rotation, decreased neuronal loss, increased the ROS-scavenging ability, regulated intracellular expressions of mitochondrial complex subunits (Ndufs1-4), tyrosine hydroxylase, and vesicular monoamine transporter 2. Taken together, our results collectively suggest that PQQ confers neuroprotection in rotenone-induced PD model probably through complex and multifaceted mechanisms, at least involving oxidative stress, mitochondrial integrity, and dopamine functions.

Keywords: Dopamine; Neuroprotection; Parkinson’s disease (PD); Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ); Reactive oxygen species (ROS); Rotenone.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Glutathione
  • Humans
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • PQQ Cofactor / pharmacology*
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / chemically induced*
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / prevention & control*
  • Rats
  • Rotenone / toxicity*
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / genetics
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase / metabolism
  • Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Slc18a2 protein, rat
  • Vesicular Monoamine Transport Proteins
  • Rotenone
  • Malondialdehyde
  • PQQ Cofactor
  • Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glutathione