MPTP Induce Apoptosis in Neurons of Mouse Substantia Nigra

Objective To study the neurotoxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP) and its mechanisms. Methods Twelve 6 to 8 weeks old C57BL male mice were administrated with MPTP(30 mg/kg,ip.) once every day for 5 days. Nissl staining, tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) immunohistochemistry staining, TUNEL tecnique and electronic microscopy were used to detect the neurotoxic effect of Results Nissl staining and TH immunohistochemistry staining showed the significant loss of survived neurons and TH\|positive neurons in Pars compacta of substantia nigra(SNpc) after injection of MPTP(P0 01). TUNEL staining showed apoptotic neurons with typical DNA fragmentation in SNpc(P0 01). Electronic microscopy showed early phase changes of apoptosis in these neurons. Conclusion MPTP could induce apoptosis in the nigral neurons. Apoptosis was ascribed to the neurotoxicity of MPTP.