The protective effect of levodopa on model of Parkinson diseased rats / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of levodopa on Parkinson's disease rats induced by 6-OHDA lesioned in different degrees. Methods Each group of PD rats whose nigrostriatal had been previously lesioned unilaterally by 6-OHDA received levodopa or saline injections twice daily for three weeks. The rotational behavior, immunohistochemistry and GSH level were observed. Results The rotational behavior ameliorated levodopa was seen only in severely lesioned PD rat. The levels of GSH in striatum were upregulated by levodopa treatment in moderately and severely lesioned PD rats. The number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunorecative neurofibers in the striatum were increased in mildly and moderately lesioned PD rats received levodopa treatment. Conclusions Levodopa upregulates the level of GSH in the striatum in moderately and severely lesioned PD rats. Levodopa will be benefical to mildly and moderately lesioned PD rats and has neurotrophic effect to promote the recovery of TH immunoreactive neurofibers in the striatum.