Effect of rasagiline on neuroprotection and behavior improvement in MPTP-induced acute mouse model of Parkinson′s disease

This study aimed at investigating the neuroprotective effect and behavior improvement of rasagiline on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)model mice of Parkinson′s disease. The tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)-positive dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra were observed by immunocytochemistry. HPLC-ECD was used to detect the dopamine and its metabolite levels. Western blot was used to examine the protein expression of TH. The results showed that the mice appeared a series of acute behavior change after the injection of MPTP. Rasagiline(20 mg/kg)exerted significant protection against MPTP-induced loss of TH-positive dopaminergic neurons. The TH-positive neurons in rasagiline-treated mice brain increased significantly compared with those of MPTP-treated group. Rasagiline also enhanced dopamine and its metabolite levels in striatum significantly. In conclusion, rasagiline has protective effect on the acute mouse model of MPTP-induced Parkinsonism.