Glutathione Depletion Leads to Symptoms of Perkinson's Disease in Mice

[seirish]

Scientists at the Buck Institute have shown that mice suffering from a depletion of the antioxidant glutathione in dopamine-producing neurons developed nerve damage and symptoms ***ociated with Parkinson's disease (PD) in humans. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter produced in the mid-brain which facilitates occurring antioxidant in the affected area of the brain is one of the earliest signs of PD, but this study shows that glutathione depletion may be a causal factor in the disorder.
In the course of their research, Buck Institute scientists created a new model for studying PD, a progressive, incurable neurodegenerative disorder that affects 1.5 million Americans and results in tremor, slowness of movement and rigidity. They bred mice that can be chemically induced to develop a depletion of glutathione in the dopaminergic neurons as adults (animals unable to create glutathione would not survive in the womb). By introducing the depletion at various stages of the adult lifecycle, scientists also highlighted the connection between Parkisonian-like nerve damage and symptoms, while those who suffered from the depletion in late middle age did develop a loss of dopaminergic neurons specifically related to PD.
In addition, the study suggests that loss of glutathione in the affected neurons may impact on energy production in the mitochondria, the "power plant" of the cells. This appears to involve a particular enzyme complex called mitochondrial complex I. Enzymatic activity of this complex has been found to be compromised in PD patients, but to date it has not been cleat how this inhibition occurs.
Glutathione is recognized as a detoxifying antioxidant that helps the body repair damage from stress, pollution, infection and damage. While available in supplemental form, the antioxidant does not easily cross the blood-brain barrier. A pilot study in 1996 in which a small group of untreated PD patients were given daily intravenous infusions of glutathione over a period of a month reportedly resulted in a significant improvement in disability.

Shana
Source: The Journal of Neuroscience (Dec. 2007)