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Lycopene modulates nitric oxide pathways against 3-nitropropionic acid-induced neurotoxicity
Puneet Kumar1, Harikesh Kalonia, Anil Kumar
1Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UGC Centre of Advanced Study, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
Life Sciences
|October 14, 2009
Summary
Lycopene protects against Huntington
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Huntington's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder.
- 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) is used to induce Huntington's disease-like symptoms in rats.
- Lycopene is a potent antioxidant with potential therapeutic benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the nitric oxide (NO) mechanism in lycopene's protective effects against 3-NP-induced Huntington's disease-like symptoms in rats.
Main Methods:
- Rats were treated with 3-NP to induce disease symptoms.
- Lycopene was administered orally at different doses.
- Behavioral, biochemical, and mitochondrial enzyme activities were assessed.
- The involvement of nitric oxide was examined using L-arginine and L-NAME.
Main Results:
- Lycopene treatment significantly attenuated behavioral and biochemical impairments caused by 3-NP.
- Lycopene protected against reduced oxidative defense and impaired mitochondrial enzyme activities.
- Nitric oxide modulation influenced lycopene's protective effects.
Conclusions:
- Nitric oxide modulation plays a role in lycopene's protective effects against 3-NP-induced neurodegeneration.
- Lycopene demonstrates potential as a therapeutic agent for Huntington's disease.
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