Changes in blood anti-oxidation enzyme levels in MPTP-treated monkeys

Oxidative stress has been implicated in a range of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular, Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the pathogenic mechanism of its influence on PD progression remains unclear. In order to clarify this, PD models are generated by 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) intramuscular injection in eight rhesus monkeys. During the of progress PD pathogenesis, the activities of some major antioxidant enzymes, such as serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione-s-transferase (GST), were measured, which show continuously decrease. While, the GSH and MDA content, as well as the expression of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS) and glutathione-s-transferase pi (GST-pi) exhibit robust increase. Taken together, this study shows the dynamic changes of antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in blood of PD monkeys during its progress, which will be important for the diagnosis and treatment of PD.