Vitamin E supplements fail to protect mice from acute MPTP neurotoxicity

The effect of chronic treatment with vitamin E (VE) on acute 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurotoxicity, as assessed by striatal dopamine (DA) depletion, was studied. Male C57B1/6J mice were fed VE (48 mg kg-1 per day, intragastric) for 4, 8, or 12 weeks prior to administration of MPTP (20 mg kg-1, i.p. x 3, 2 h intervals) or its diluent. Brain VE concentration was increased by exogenous supplements for 12 weeks. Striatal DA content was reduced by 85% to 90% after MPTP in control and VE-treated mice. Mice with elevated cerebral VE were not protected from MPTP toxicity, with DA content as an indicator. In conclusion, these findings indicate that moderate elevation of brain VE is not adequate for protecting DA-containing neurons against the toxic actions of a high dose of MPTP.