Acetyl-levo-carnitine protects against MPTP-induced parkinsonism in primates

Abstract

Acetyl-levo-carnitine (ALC) protects against 1-methyl, 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced toxicity in the nonhuman primate. ALC pretreated monkeys do not show signs of parkinsonism or electroretinographic changes typical of dopaminergic deficiency when given MPTP. In addition, pilot neurochemical and morphological data confirm a partial protection effect. While MAO-B inhibitors, like L-Deprenyl, are thought to protect dopaminergic neurons from MPTP-induced cell death by preventing the conversion of MPTP to its toxic metabolite MPP+, ALC is not known to have MAO-B affinity. Converging evidence suggests that ALC may affect directly mitochondrial respiration, which is known to be the target of MPP+ and affected in human neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease. The results of this study point to new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of these nosologic entities.

Neuroprotective effect of combined therapy with hyperbaric oxygen and madopar on 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinson’s disease in rats

“…Increasing evidence suggests that one crucial factor in the pathogenesis of PD is oxidative stress, which represents the physiological response to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production [18] in PD patients. Increased ROS production and an imbalance of the antioxidant defense and repair mechanisms lead to the loss or apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) [4]. Thus, the reversion of cellular oxidative damage represents an effective strategy for PD treatment [11].…”

Neuroprotective effect of Centella asiatica extract (CAE) on experimentally induced parkinsonism in aged Sprague-Dawley rats

“…Increase in ROS production and imbalance in antioxidant defense and repair mechanisms, leads to cell death during ageing and age related neurological disorders (Bodis-Wollner et al, 1991). Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the widespread neurodegerative diseases, caused by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of basal ganglia.…”

Acetyl-L-carnitine prevents total body hydroxyl free radical and uric acid production induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in the rat

“…Compelling evidence that ALCAR protects against MPTP toxicity in vivo in non-human primates has been presented by Bodis-Wollner et al (1991), although conflicting results were found in rodents when Harik and Hritz (1993) attempted a similar study in the mouse. Very recently, however, Mazzio et al (2003) found that ALCAR protects against MPP + toxicity in murine Neuro-2A neuroblastoma cells.…”