Tetrahydropapaveroline and the blood-brain barrier in rats

Neurotoxicity and Underlying Mechanisms of Endogenous Neurotoxins

Endogenous and exogenous neurotoxins are important factors leading to neurodegenerative diseases. In the 1980s, the discovery that 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) contributes to Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms led to new research investigations on neurotoxins. An abnormal metabolism of endogenous substances, such as condensation of bioamines with endogenous aldehydes, dopamine (DA) oxidation, and kynurenine pathway, can produce endogenous neurotoxins. Neurotoxins may damage the nervous system by inhibiting mitochondrial activity, increasing oxidative stress, increasing neuroinflammation, and up-regulating proteins related to cell death. This paper reviews the biological synthesis of various known endogenous neurotoxins and their toxic mechanisms.

Parkinson's disease, L-DOPA, and endogenous morphine: a revisit

Clinical observations stemming from widespread employment of restorative L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) therapy for management of dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients implicate a regulatory role for endogenous morphine in central nervous system dopamine neurotransmission. Reciprocally, it appears that restorative L-DOPA administration has provided us with a compelling in vivo pharmacological model for targeting peripheral sites involved in endogenous morphine expression in human subjects. The biological activities underlying endogenous morphine expression and its interaction with its major precursor dopamine strongly suggest that endogenous morphine systems are reciprocally dysregulated in PD. These critical issues are examined from historical and current perspectives within our short review.

Neurotoxic effects of tetrahydroisoquinolines and underlying mechanisms

Tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), a neurotoxic tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid formed by condensation between dopamine and dopaldehyde, has been speculated to cause Parkinson's disease and also to contribute to alcohol dependence. Having two catechol moieties, THP may readily undergo oxidation to form an o-quinone intermediate with concomitant production of reactive oxygen species, which can cause neuronal cell death and DNA damage. This review will deal with the current knowledge of neurotoxic effects of this endogenous alkaloid and underlying biochemical mechanisms.

Nrf2-mediated heme oxygenase-1 induction confers adaptive survival response to tetrahydropapaveroline-induced oxidative PC12 cell death

Tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), a dopaminergic isoquinoline neurotoxin, has been reported to contribute to neurodegeneration in parkinsonism. As THP bears two catechol moieties, it undergoes autooxidation or enzymatic oxidation to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may contribute to the THP-induced cell death. Although ROS are cytotoxic, the initial accumulation of ROS may provoke a survival response. In this study, treatment of PC12 cells with THP increased expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) as an adaptive survival response. Furthermore, THP-induced cytotoxicity was attenuated by the HO-1 inducer (SnCl2) and exacerbated by the HO-1 inhibitor (ZnPP). To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying THP-mediated HO-1 expression, we examined the possible involvement of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which plays an important role in the transcriptional regulation of detoxifying/antioxidant genes. THP treatment elevated nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and subsequent binding to antioxidant response element (ARE). PC12 cells transfected with dominant-negative Nrf2 exhibited increased cytotoxicity and decreased HO-1 expression after THP treatment. Moreover, U0126 and LY294002, which are pharmacologic inhibitors of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase, respectively, attenuated HO-1 expression as well as Nrf2-ARE binding activity. Taken together, these findings suggest that HO-1 induction via Nrf2 activation may confer a cellular adaptive response against THP-mediated cell death.

Study on the ability of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropapaveroline to cause oxidative stress: Mechanisms and potential implications in relation to parkinson's disease

Tetrahydropapaveroline (THP) is a compound derived from dopamine monoamine oxidase-mediated metabolism, particularly present in the brain of parkinsonian patients receiving L-dopa therapy, and is capable of causing dopaminergic neurodegeneration. The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential of THP to cause oxidative stress on mitochondrial preparations and to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms responsible for its neurotoxicity. Our data show that THP autoxidation occurs with a continuous generation of hydroxyl radicals (*OH) and without the involvement of the Fenton reaction. The presence of ascorbate enhances this process by establishing a redox cycle, which regenerates THP from its quinolic forms. It has been shown that the production of *OH is not affected by the presence of either ferrous or ferric iron. Although THP does not affect lipid peroxidation, it is capable of reducing the high levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances obtained in the presence of ascorbate and/or iron. However, THP autoxidation in the presence of ascorbate causes both an increase in protein carbonyl content and a reduction in protein-free thiol content. THP also increases protein carbonyl content when the autoxidation occurs in the presence of iron. The remarkable role played by ascorbate in the production of oxidative stress by THP autoxidation is of particular interest.

Potential roles of NF-kappaB and ERK1/2 in cytoprotection against oxidative cell death induced by tetrahydropapaveroline

Tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), a dopamine-derived tetrahydroisoquinoline catechol, has been suspected to be dopaminergic neurotoxin that elicits parkinsonism and neurobehavioral abnormalities associated with chronic alcoholism. THP has been detected in the brains of parkinsonian patients, and its urinary as well as brain level increases after l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine treatment. Autoxidation or enzymatic oxidation of THP and subsequent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may contribute to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons induced by this tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid. In the present study, THP was found to elicit cytotoxicity in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, which was completely blocked by reduced glutathione and N-acetyl-L-cysteine. THP-treated PC12 cells exhibited increased intracellular accumulation of ROS and underwent apoptosis as determined by poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase cleavage, an increased ratio of Bax to BclxL, terminal transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling, and nuclear fragmentation or condensation. THP treatment caused activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB). Pretreatment of PC12 cells with NF-kappaB inhibitors, such as l-1-tosylamido-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone and parthenolide, aggravated THP-induced cell death. THP treatment resulted in differential activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases as well as Akt/protein kinase B, thereby transmitting cell survival or death signals. In conclusion, THP induces apoptosis in PC12 cells by generating ROS. THP-mediated oxidative stress was accompanied by differential activation of intracellular signaling kinases and NF-kappaB.

A re-evaluation of the role of tetrahydropapaveroline in ethanol consumption in rats

The role of tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), a condensation product of a dopaldehyde with dopamine, in the regulation of alcohol consumption was investigated. In the first experiment, rats received intraventricular injections of either racemic THP hydrobromide (0.65 or 1.3 microg/microl), R-(+)-THP (0.66 or 1.4 microg/microl), or an equal volume of vehicle. The lower doses of both (+/-)-THP and (+)-THP significantly increased volitional alcohol intake. For the racemic compound, the increase was significant at 7-13% concentrations. The R-(+)-enantiomer increased consumption at 4-11 and 15-20% concentrations of ethanol. The higher doses of both compounds did not significantly alter alcohol preference. A second experiment evaluated the chronic effect of THP delivered subcutaneously via osmotic minipump. Animals receiving THP (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mg/ml) did not differ in their alcohol intake, compared to vehicle-treated controls. Whether or not endogenously formed THP participates in the etiology of alcohol addiction remains unclear. Nonetheless, there are few known compounds that induce a preference for unsweetened alcohol solutions over water in laboratory animals.

Tetrahydropapaveroline and its derivatives inhibit dopamine uptake through dopamine transporter expressed in HEK293 cells

Tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), an isoquinoline alkaloid, has been detected in brain and urine of Parkinsonian patients on L-dopa medication, and in the urine and brain of rats after L-dopa or acute ethanol administration. Since THP is considered to be synthesized from dopamine, it may affect dopaminergic neurons through the reuptake system, i.e. dopamine transporter (DAT). To determine whether THP has affinity for DAT, we generated a cell line which stably expresses DAT and examined whether THP and its derivatives could inhibit [3H]DA uptake in these cells. Ki of THP and three derivatives (1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1BnTIQ), 1-(3',4'-dibydroxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (3',4' DHBnTIQ) and 6,7-dihydroxy-1-benzyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (6,7 DHBnTIQ)) for inhibition of [3H]DA uptake were about 41, 35, 23 and 93 microM, respectively, which were similar to the Ki of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+) (28 microM). These results suggest that THP and its derivatives might be uptaken through DAT and be involved in Parkinson's disease and/or alcohol addiction.

Tetrahydropapaveroline in brain regions of rats after acute ethanol administration

Tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), the condensation product of dopamine, and its aldehyde, dopaldehyde, have been detected in brain regions of rats after acute ethanol administration. THP levels were determined in eight brain regions of animals that received ethanol (3.0 g/kg) by intraperitoneal injection 100 or 120 minutes before decapitation. The levels of THP in two brain regions, i.e., the midbrain and striatum, were determined at time intervals ranging from 50 to 120 minutes after ethanol administration. THP was not found in brain regions of untreated animals. However, significant levels of THP were found in pooled midbrains (0.50 pmol/g tissue) and pooled hypothalami (0.20 pmol/g tissue) of animals that received ethanol 120 minutes before decapitation. Most brain regions had detectable levels of THP 100 minutes after the animals received ethanol and the striatum contained the highest concentration of the alkaloid. The concentration of THP in striata tissue of rats at 50, 70, 90, or 100 minutes after ethanol administration were 0.33, 0.38, 0.33, and 0.33 pmol/g tissue, respectively. These results demonstrate that THP can be detected in specific brain regions of the rat after acute ethanol administration.