E-PodoFavalin-15999 (Atremorine®)-Induced Neurotransmitter and Hormonal Response in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

E-PodoFavalin-15999 (Atremorine ®) is a novel bioproduct obtained by means of non-denaturing biotechnological procedures from structural components of the Vicia faba L. plant, for the prevention and treatment of Parkinsonian disorders. Preclinical studies have revealed that Atremorine is a powerful neuroprotectant with specific activity on dopaminergic neurons, reversing neurodegeneration and improving motor function in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Clinical studies indicate that Atremorine is a powerful catecholaminergic enhancer with time-and genotype-dependent effects in PD. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Atremorine on the levels of neurotransmitters (dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, serotonin) and hormones (adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), cortisol, estrogens, testosterone) in Parkinsonian patients (n=119) 1 hour after Atremorine administration (5 g/day). These effects were also studied after stratification of PD patients according to their cardiovascular function. Atremorine induced a significant increase in the levels of dopamine (p<0.001), noradrenaline (p=0.004) and adrenaline (p=0.01), and a significant decrease in the levels of PRL (p<0.001), cortisol (p<0.001), and GH (p=0.002), with no apparent changes in the levels of serotonin, ACTH, FSH, LH, testosterone or estrogen. The levels of dopamine were significantly higher in patients with normal EKG than in patients with abnormal electrocardiogram (EKG); however, the levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline and serotonin tended to be lower in patients with normal EKG as compared to patients with abnormal EKG. There were also some differences in hormonal levels in patients with normal EKG, compared to abnormal EKG. These results clearly show that Atremorine is an effective enhancer of catecholaminergic neurotransmission, which contributes to optimization of hormonal regulation in PD.