Restorative effects of uridine plus docosahexaenoic acid in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

Mehmet Cansev, Ismail H. Ulus, Lei Wang, Timothy J. Maher, Richard J. Wurtman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

Administering uridine-5′-monophosphate (UMP) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increases synaptic membranes (as characterized by pre- and post-synaptic proteins) and dendritic spines in rodents. We examined their effects on rotational behavior and dopaminergic markers in rats with partial unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced striatal lesions. Rats receiving UMP, DHA, both, or neither, daily, and intrastriatal 6-OHDA 3 days after treatment onset, were tested for d-amphetamine-induced rotational behavior and dopaminergic markers after 24 and 28 days, respectively. UMP/DHA treatment reduced ipsilateral rotations by 57% and significantly elevated striatal dopamine, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity, TH protein and synapsin-1 on the lesioned side. Hence, giving uridine and DHA may partially restore dopaminergic neurotransmission in this model of Parkinson's disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)206-209
Number of pages4
JournalNeuroscience Research
Volume62
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Docosahexaenoic acid
  • Dopamine
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Synapse
  • Tyrosine hydroxylase activity
  • Uridine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

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