Meclizine-induced enhanced glycolysis is neuroprotective in Parkinson disease cell models

Sci Rep. 2016 May 5:6:25344. doi: 10.1038/srep25344.

Abstract

Meclizine is a well-tolerated drug routinely used as an anti-histamine agent in the management of disequilibrium. Recently, meclizine has been assessed for its neuroprotective properties in ischemic stroke and Huntington disease models. We found that meclizine protected against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced apoptosis and cell death in both SH-SY5Y cells and rat primary cortical cultures. Meclizine increases the level of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), which activates phosphofructokinase, a rate-determining enzyme of glycolysis. This protection is therefore mediated by meclizine's ability to enhance glycolysis and increase mitochondrial hyperpolarization. Meclizine represents an interesting candidate for further investigation to re-purpose for its potential to be neuroprotective in Parkinson disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Fructosediphosphates / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Glycolysis / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Meclizine / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Models, Biological
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Oxidopamine / adverse effects*
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy
  • Parkinson Disease / metabolism*
  • Phosphofructokinase-2 / metabolism
  • Phosphofructokinases / metabolism
  • Rats

Substances

  • Fructosediphosphates
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Meclizine
  • fructose 2,6-diphosphate
  • Oxidopamine
  • Phosphofructokinases
  • PFKFB3 protein, human
  • Phosphofructokinase-2