Oxidation of 1-amino-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, a 1-amino analog of MPTP, by type A and B monoamine oxidase

Antidepressants reveal differential effect against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium toxicity in differentiated PC12 cells

Treatment of depression may ameliorate the cognitive disability and motor slowness in Parkinson's disease. It has been shown that antidepressants, including fluoxetine, may attenuate or exacerbate neuronal cell death. The present study assessed the effect of antidepressants (amitriptyline, tranylcypromine and fluoxetine) against the toxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) in relation to the mitochondria-mediated cell death process in differentiated PC12 cells. Amitriptyline and tranylcypromine attenuated the MPP(+)-induced cell death that may be associated with mitochondrial membrane permeability change and oxidative stress. Both compounds prevented the loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, over-expression of Bax, reduction in Bcl-2 level, cytochrome c release, caspase-3 activation, formation of reactive oxygen species and depletion of GSH. The inhibitory effect of tranylcypromine was greater than that of amitriptyline on the basis of concentration. In contrast, fluoxetine revealed a toxic effect and exhibited an additive effect against the toxicity of MPP(+). Results show that amitriptyline and tranylcypromine may attenuate the MPP(+) toxicity by suppressing the mitochondrial membrane permeability change that leads to cytochrome c release and subsequent caspase-3 activation. The effects seem to be associated with the inhibitory action on the formation of reactive oxygen species and the depletion of GSH. In contrast, fluoxetine seems to exert an additive toxic effect against neuronal cell damage by increasing mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress.

Toxic effects of MPP(+) and MPTP in PC12 cells independent of reactive oxygen species formation

MPTP is a toxin presumed to damage dopamine-secreting neurons by an oxygen free radical-mediated mechanism. Two steps in MPTP metabolism are the primary candidates for oxygen free radical generation: (a) MPTP oxidation to MPP(+) by a monoamine oxidase and (b) NADH dehydrogenase inhibition by MPP(+). In order to test the idea that MPTP toxicity is mediated by oxygen free radicals, we assessed lipid peroxidation and the effects of antioxidants in dopaminergic PC12 cells treated with MPTP or MPP(+). For comparison purposes, we also examined the effects of the pro-oxidant tert-butyl-hydroperoxide (TBHP) and of the dopaminergic toxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in PC12 cells. MPTP and MPP(+), unlike TBHP, failed to induce lipid peroxidation in PC12 cells after a 4-h exposure. All toxins tested (MPTP, MPP(+), TBHP and 6-OHDA) caused a dose-dependent decrease in [(3)H]dopamine ((3)H-DA) uptake in PC12 cultures. The hydroperoxide scavengers glutathione and N-acetyl-cysteine and the superoxide and peroxide scavenger EUK-134 protected PC12 cells from TBHP- and 6-OHDA-induced decrease in (3)H-DA uptake. However, no protection by these antioxidants at various concentrations and time regimens was observed against MPTP- or MPP(+)-induced decreases in (3)H-DA uptake in PC12 cells. In addition, incubation of PC12 cells with the energy-rich substrate, NADH, attenuated MPP(+)-induced decrease in (3)H-DA uptake. These results suggest that MPTP-induced toxicity in dopaminergic PC12 cell cultures, does not involve oxygen free radical production, but rather may be caused by impairment in energy metabolism.