Downregulation of thioredoxin reductase 1 expression in the substantia nigra pars compacta of Parkinson's disease mice

摘要

Because neurons are susceptible to oxidative damage and thioredoxin reductase 1 is extensively distributed in the central nervous system and has antioxidant properties,we speculated that the enzyme may be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease.A Parkinson’s disease model was produced by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine into C57BL/6 mice.Real-time reverse transcription-PCR,western blot analysis and colorimetric assay showed that the levels of thioredoxin reductase 1 mRNA and protein were decreased,along with a significant reduction in thioredoxin reductase activity,in the midbrain of Parkinson’s disease mice compared with normal mice.Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the number of thioredoxin reductase 1-positive neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta of Parkinson’s disease mice was significantly decreased compared with normal mice.These experimental findings suggest that the expression of thioredoxin reductase 1 in the substantia nigra pars compacta of Parkinson’s disease mice is significantly decreased,and that the enzyme may be associated with disease onset.