Abstract
Epidemiological evidence suggests a lower incidence of Parkinson's disease in smokers than in nonsmokers. This evidence, together with the lower levels of brain monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in smokers and the potential neuroprotective properties of MAO inhibitors, prompted studies which led to the isolation and characterization of 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (TMN), an MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitor which is present in tobacco and tobacco smoke. Results of experiments reported here provide evidence that this compound protects against the MPTP-mediated depletion of neostriatal dopamine levels in the C57BL/6 mouse. These results support the hypothesis that the inhibition of MAO by constituents of tobacco smoke may be related to the decreased incidence of Parkinson's disease in smokers.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Brain / metabolism
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Disease Models, Animal
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Dopamine / metabolism
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Monoamine Oxidase / drug effects*
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Monoamine Oxidase / metabolism
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Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / isolation & purification
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Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / metabolism
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Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / pharmacology
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Naphthoquinones / isolation & purification*
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Naphthoquinones / metabolism
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Naphthoquinones / pharmacology*
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Neostriatum / metabolism
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Neuroprotective Agents / isolation & purification*
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Neuroprotective Agents / metabolism
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Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
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Nicotiana
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Parkinsonian Disorders / chemically induced
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Parkinsonian Disorders / prevention & control*
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Plant Extracts
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Plants, Toxic
Substances
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2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4-naphthoquinone
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Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
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Naphthoquinones
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Neuroprotective Agents
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Plant Extracts
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Monoamine Oxidase
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Dopamine