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Effects of MPTP and vitamin E treatments on immune function in mice
D S Chi1, L Gong, E A Daigneault
1Department of Internal Medicine, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City 37614.
Abstract:
The effects of treatment with the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and vitamin E, an antioxidant, on immune functions were examined. Male C57/B1 mice were fed daily with natural vitamin E for 12 weeks, subsequently injected i.p. with MPTP or its vehicle, and sacrificed 1 week later. Control mice received the stripped corn oil vehicle daily, in place of vitamin E. Oral vitamin E feeding increased cerebral vitamin E content by 60% (P = 0.05). However, MPTP attenuated this rise in cerebral vitamin E content when measured 1 week after treatment with the neurotoxin (P = 0.05). MPTP also produced an 80-90% reduction in striatal dopamine content in both the stripped corn oil control group and the vitamin E-treated group (P = 0.0000). One week after MPTP injection, the numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes and the percent of spleen T-cells, but not B-cells, were decreased in those groups receiving MPTP alone or MPTP plus vitamin E (P less than 0.05 and 0.02, respectively). The Con A-induced IL-2 production of spleen cells was decreased in all treated groups (P less than 0.005). There was no difference in the mitogenic stimulative response to PHA, Con A or LPS. However, the response to PWM was increased in both MPTP and MPTP plus vitamin E-treated groups (P less than 0.05 and 0.001, respectively). On the other hand, the one-way mixed lymphocyte response of the splenocytes from the MPTP-treated group was increased (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Insights
Neurotoxin MPTP and vitamin E impact immune cells. MPTP reduced dopamine and immune cell counts, while vitamin E did not prevent these effects, suggesting neuroinflammation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Toxicology
Background:
- The neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is used to model Parkinson's disease.
- Vitamin E is an antioxidant with potential neuroprotective properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of MPTP and vitamin E on immune functions in mice.
- To determine if vitamin E can mitigate MPTP-induced neurotoxicity and immune alterations.
Main Methods:
- Male C57/B1 mice were fed vitamin E or a control vehicle for 12 weeks.
- Mice were injected with MPTP or its vehicle.
- Cerebral vitamin E content, striatal dopamine levels, and various immune cell parameters were measured.
Main Results:
- MPTP significantly reduced striatal dopamine content.
- MPTP decreased peripheral blood lymphocytes and spleen T-cells, an effect not prevented by vitamin E.
- Interleukin-2 production was reduced, while responses to certain mitogens and mixed lymphocyte reactions were altered.
Conclusions:
- MPTP induces significant neurochemical and immunological changes.
- Vitamin E supplementation did not prevent MPTP-induced dopamine depletion or alterations in lymphocyte populations.
- Further research is needed to understand the complex interactions between neurotoxins, antioxidants, and the immune system.