Effect of magnesium on nigral dopaminergic neurons in rats with Parkinson's disease

Objective To observe the effect and mechanism of magnesium on nigral dopaminergic neurons in rats with Parkinson's disease(PD). Methods The PD rats were prepared by unilateral injection with 6-hydroxydopamine(6-OHDA) in the nigra and then divided into magnesium sulfate group,Madopar group,mixed group(magnesium sulfate+Madopar) and control (normal saline) group,and recived corresponding therapy by gastric perfusion for 28 d.The behavior change was observed. At the damage side,the number of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) positive neurons in nigra was detected by immunohistochemistry; the activities of superoxide dismatase(SOD),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the level of malondialdehyde(MDA) in striatum were measured by biochemistry method,the expression of caspase-3 mRNA and the protease of nuclear factor(NF)-кB P65 in nigra were detected by RT-PCR and Western Blot. Results After treatment,the stable contralateral rotation was found only in mixed group. Compared with other groups,the number of TH positive neurons in mixed group was significantly increased (allP0.05).Compared with groups Madopar and control,the activities of SOD,GSH-Px in groups magnesium sulfate and mixed were significantly increased,the levels of MDA,caspase-3 mRNA and NF-кB P65 were significantly decresed (allP0.05). And there was no notable defference between groups magnesium sulfate and mixed. Conclusions Combination treatment of magnesium and Madopar can raise the dopaminergic neurons survival,reduce oxidative stress damage and neuron apoptosis,improve the symptom of PD rates.