Dimethylthiourea prevents MPTP-induced decrease in [3H]dopamine uptake in rat striatal slices

Brain Res. 1995 Feb 13;671(2):321-4. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(94)01373-p.

Abstract

To determine whether oxygen free radicals are involved in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurotoxicity, the effect of dimethylthiourea (DMTU), an effective hydroxyl radical scavenger, on MPTP-induced changes of [3H]dopamine uptake was investigated in rat striatal slices. The uptake of [3H]dopamine was decreased by MPTP treatment, and DMTU prevented the MPTP-induced decrease of [3H]dopamine uptake in a dose-dependent manner. The highest dose of DMTU used in this study completely prevented the MPTP-induced decrease of [3H]dopamine uptake. These results indicate that free radicals play a major role in the pathogenetic mechanism of MPTP-induced neurotoxicity.

MeSH terms

  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Neostriatum / drug effects
  • Neostriatum / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Thiourea / analogs & derivatives*
  • Thiourea / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • 1,3-dimethylthiourea
  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
  • Thiourea
  • Dopamine