3-Hydroxymorphinan, a metabolite of dextromethorphan, protects nigrostriatal pathway against MPTP-elicited damage both in vivo and in vitro

Wei Zhang, Eun Joo Shin, Tongguang Wang, Ho Lee Phil, Hao Pang, Myung Bok Wie, Won Ki Kim, Seong Jin Kim, Wen Hsin Huang, Yongjun Wang, Wanqin Zhang, Jau Shyong Hong, Hyoung Chun Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

72 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We investigated the neuroprotective property of analogs of dextromethorphan (DM) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) models to identify neuroprotective drugs for Parkinson's disease (PD). In vivo studies showed that daily injections with DM analogs protected dopamine (DA) neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta and restored DA levels in striatum using two different models for PD. Of the five analogs studied, 3-hydroxymorphinan (3-HM), a metabolite of DM, was the most potent, and restored DA neuronal loss and DA depletion up to 90% of the controls. Behavioral studies showed an excellent correlation between potency for preventing toxin-induced decrease in motor activities and neuroprotective effects among the DM analogs studied, of which 3-HM was the most potent in attenuating behavioral damage. In vitro studies revealed two glia-dependent mechanisms for the neuroprotection by 3-HM. First, astroglia mediated the 3-HM-induced neurotrophic effect by increasing the gene expression of neurotrophic factors, which was associated with the increased acetylation of histone H3. Second, microglia participated in 3-HM-mediated neuroprotection by reducing MPTP-elicited reactive microgliosis as evidenced by the decreased production of reactive oxygen species. In summary, we show the potent neuroprotection by 3-HM in LPS and MPTP PD models investigated. With its high efficacy and low toxicity, 3-HM may be a novel therapy for PD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2496-2511
Number of pages16
JournalFASEB Journal
Volume20
Issue number14
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006 Dec
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Astroglia
  • Microglia
  • Neurotrophic factors
  • PD
  • ROS
  • Striatum
  • Substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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