RESUMO
Objective To investigate the effect of rapamycin (RAPA) on mitochondrial injury in a mouse model of aging Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods Forty senescence-accelerated prone mice 8 (SAMP8) (12-month old) were randomly divided into 5 groups:blank group,model group,and RAPA low-,middle-,and high-dose groups.Mice in the model group and three RAPA groups were administered a subcutaneous injection of MPTP to generate the PD model.RAPA at 1,2,and 4 mg· kg 1· d 1 was administered from 7 days before,5 days during,and 7 days after the PD model preparation to the RAPA groups;an equal volume of sterile saline was administered to the other two groups.After the administration,behavioral test scores,dopamine levels,transmembrane potential of mitochondria,and activity of mitochondrial complex Ⅰ in the 5 groups were evaluated.Results Behavioral scores,dopamine levels,transmembrane potential,mitochondrial complex Ⅰ activity of mice in the model group were significantly decreased compared with the blank group (P ＜ 0.05 respectively).All indexes in the RAPA groups were significantly improved compared to the model group (P ＜ 0.05 respectively).There was no significant difference among the three RAPA groups.Conclusion RAPA has a protective effect on aging PD model mice,and its mechanism may be related to the protection against mitochondrial damage.