[The neuroprotective effects of lesion and high frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus on the substantia nigra neurons].

AIM: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of lesion and high frequency stimulation(HFS) of the subthalamic nucleus (SIN) on the substantia nigra pars compacta(SNc) neurons and its probable mechanism. METHODS: The PD models were induced by unilateral administration of 6-hydroxydopamine into right substantia nigra in rats. After the high-frequence stimulation to SIN and injection of ibotenic acid to STN on PD rats, the changes of behavior were observed. The substantia nigra neurons were detected by using special-dyeing, TUNEL techniques and immunohistochemistry methods. RESULTS: In the stimulation group, the apoptotic rate was significantly lower than PD model group and lesion group (P < 0.05). Compared with normal rats, model group and lesion one had the similar results of expression of Bcl-2, Bax and their ratio, which were lower expression of Bcl-2, higher expression of Bax and the decrease of their ratio (P < 0.05). In the stimulation group, the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax were much higher than model group and lesion group. The number of apoptotic neurons of rats in lesion group was smaller than model ones (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in expression of Bcl-2, Bax and their ratio (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lesion or HFS of STN have the neuroprotective effects on SNc neurons of PD rats, and HFS has a better long-term effect.