The protective effects of polysaccharide from spirulina platensis on dopaminergic neurons of MPTP-induced Parkinsons disease model in mice

Aim The present study is designed to elucidate the protective effect of Polysaccharide from Spirulina Platensis(PSP) on dopaminergic neurons of MPTP-induced Parkinsons disease model in C57BL mice.Methods C57BL mice were divided into 5 groups:control group,MPTP group,PSP 200 mg·kg-1 plus MPTP group,PSP 400 mg·kg-1 plus MPTP group,and PSP 800 mg·kg-1 plus MPTP group.Immunohistochemistry assay,RT-PCR,and HPLC-ECD were used to detect the immunoreactivity of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) and dopamine transporters(DAT),the expression of TH mRNA and DAT mRNA in substantia nigra(SN),the content of dopamine(DA) and its metabolites,i.e.3,4-dihydroxyphenyl acetic acid(DOPAC) and homovanilic acid(HVA) in striatum(Str).Results The result showed that,compared with control group,the TH and DAT immunoreactive stain in MPTP group was significantly decreased(P0.01),the expression of TH mRNA and DAT mRNA were significantly decreased(P0.01) in SN,and the content of DA,DOPAC and HVA in Str was decreased(P0.01).While in PSP 800 mg·kg-1 pretreatment group,the immunoreactive stain of TH and DAT in SN were increased(P0.05);the expression of TH mRNA and DAT mRNA were increased(P0.05);the content of DA,DOPAC and HVA in Str was increased compared with MPTP group(P0.05).Conclusion The results suggest that PSP plays a protective effect on MPTP-damaged dopaminergic neurons of C57BL mice.