Neurotoxin-Induced Rodent Models of Parkinson's Disease: Benefits and Drawbacks.

Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by cardinal motor impairments, including akinesia and tremor, as well as by a host of non-motor symptoms, including both autonomic and cognitive dysfunction. PD is associated with a death of nigral dopaminergic neurons, as well as the pathological spread of Lewy bodies, consisting predominantly of the misfolded protein alpha-synuclein. To date, only symptomatic treatments, such as levodopa, are available, and trials aiming to cure the disease, or at least halt its progression, have not been successful.

Adenosine role in brain functions: Pathophysiological influence on Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders.

Although adenosine plays a key role in multiple motor, affective, and cognitive processes, it has received less attention in the neuroscience field compared to other neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine).

Selective A receptors blockade reduces degeneration of substantia nigra dopamine neurons in a rotenone-induced rat model of Parkinson's disease: A histological study.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Adenosine is a neuromodulator that inhibit the release of dopamine via a disinhibitory mechanism. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine and ZM241385 (respectively, A and A receptors antagonists), on nigrostriatal dopamine neurons degradation reduction in a rotenone-induced PD model using histopathological and immunohistochemical methods.

Dose-dependent neuroprotective effect of caffeine on a rotenone-induced rat model of parkinsonism: A histological study.

Several lines of evidence have demonstrated an inverse relationship between caffeine utilization and Parkinson's disease (PD) progression. Caffeine is a methylxanthine known as a non-specific inhibitor of adenosine (A2A and A1) receptors in the cerebrum and demonstrated to be a neuroprotective medication. In this study, the neuroprotective efficacy of two different doses of caffeine ranging above the usual consumption dose and below the toxic dose was investigated using histopathological and immunohistochemical methods.

Adenosine A2A Receptor Blockade Prevents Rotenone-Induced Motor Impairment in a Rat Model of Parkinsonism.

Pharmacological studies implicate the blockade of adenosine receptorsas an effective strategy for reducing Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms. The objective of this study is to elucidate the possible protective effects of ZM241385 and 8-cyclopentyl-1, 3-dipropylxanthine, two selective A2A and A1 receptor antagonists, on a rotenone rat model of PD. Rats were split into four groups: vehicle control (1 ml/kg/48 h), rotenone (1.

Effect of Toxoplasma co-inefected with intestinal helminthes on cell mediated immunity to tuberculosis patients.

The effect of intestinal helminthes (IH) and Toxoplasma gondii (Tox) co-infection on anti-mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) immunity in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis was studied in 96 patients of 4 groups. Thirteen patients had TB+IH+Tox (G1), 15 had TB+IH (G2), 21 had TB+Tox (G3) and 47 had TB (G4). The mean diameter of tuberculin and toxoplasmin tests was measured to assess cell mediated immunity.