Transient glutathione depletion in the substantia nigra compacta is associated with neuroinflammation in rats.

Glutathione (GSH) deficiency has been identified as an early event in the progression of Parkinson's disease. However, the role of GSH in the etiology and pathogenesis of this neurodegenerative disorder is not well established. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of transient GSH depletion in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) on neuroinflammation after the injection of a single dose of l-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) into the SNpc of male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Erythropoietin Promotes Neural Plasticity and Spatial Memory Recovery in Fimbria-Fornix-Lesioned Rats.

Background: Erythropoietin (EPO) upregulates the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, a central signaling pathway in cellular plastic mechanisms, and is critical for normal brain development.

Objective: We hypothesized that EPO could modulate the plasticity mechanisms supporting spatial memory recovery in fimbria-fornix-transected animals.

Methods: Fimbria-fornix was transected in 3 groups of rats.