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Promethazine protects against 3-nitropropionic acid-induced neurotoxicity
Carine Cleren1, Noel Y Calingasan, Anatoly Starkov
1Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY 10065, USA. carine.cleren@unice.fr
Neurochemistry International
|October 27, 2009
Summary
Promethazine, an antihistamine, demonstrated neuroprotection in rats against 3-nitropropionic acid toxicity, a model for Huntington's disease. This study highlights its potential for treating neurodegenerative conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Promethazine (PMZ) is an FDA-approved antihistamine with identified neuroprotective potential.
- Previous studies showed PMZ protects against ischemia and delays disease onset in ALS models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroprotective effects of Promethazine (PMZ) against 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) induced neurotoxicity in a rat model of Huntington's disease (HD).
Main Methods:
- Lewis rats received chronic subcutaneous infusion of 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP).
- Rats were treated with Promethazine (PMZ).
- Evaluated striatal lesion volume, GABAergic neuron loss, and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Chronic PMZ treatment significantly reduced 3-NP-induced striatal lesion volume.
- PMZ treatment decreased the loss of GABAergic neurons in the striatum.
- A significant reduction in the number of apoptotic cells was observed in the striatum.
Conclusions:
- Promethazine exhibits a strong neuroprotective effect against 3-nitropropionic acid toxicity in vivo.
- PMZ may be a potential therapeutic agent for Huntington's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
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