MPTP administration increases plasma levels of acute phase proteins in non-human primates (Macaca fascicularis)

Neurosci Lett. 2009 Sep 29;463(1):37-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2009.07.069. Epub 2009 Jul 26.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Parkinsonian patients and animal models of PD show inflammatory phenomena such as microglial activation and cytokine production that could modulate the progression of the disease, since they play a crucial role in the degenerative process. Since acute phase proteins (APPs) are involved in a number of homeostatic alterations and inflammatory processes, we analyzed the levels of APPs in primates before and after treatment with MPTP. A significant increase in C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (HP) levels after MPTP treatment. These results demonstrate that MPTP induces a systemic generalized inflammatory reaction after specific dopaminergic neurotoxicity insult, suggesting that the inflammatory process in Parkinsonism may affect other immune-inflammatory responses outside the brain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine*
  • Acute-Phase Proteins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism
  • Dopamine Agents*
  • Haptoglobins / metabolism
  • Inflammation / blood
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Male
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / blood
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / chemically induced
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / immunology*
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Acute-Phase Proteins
  • Dopamine Agents
  • Haptoglobins
  • Serum Amyloid A Protein
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine