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Updated: Nov 23, 2025
Behavioral Assessments of Spontaneous Locomotion in a Murine MPTP-induced Parkinson's Disease Model
Published on: January 7, 2019
Gastrointestinal and metabolic function in the MPTP-treated macaque model of Parkinson's disease
Anna Delamarre1,2, Cliona MacSweeney3, Rie Suzuki3
1Université de Bordeaux, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Bordeaux, 33000, France.
Background:
Gastrointestinal (GI) and metabolic function are frequently altered in Parkinson's disease (PD). Although enteric nervous system anatomopathological alterations have previously been reported in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) monkey model of PD, the resulting gastric emptying and intestinal permeability functional parameters are unknown. The current exploratory study was, thus, designed to investigate these GI functional factors and insulin resistance in the MPTP-treated monkey.
Methods:
Eight rhesus macaque monkeys (4 controls and 4 MPTP-treated) received the oral acetaminophen absorption test to measure gastric emptying, the oral FITC-dextran absorption test to investigate intestinal permeability, and the intravenous glucose tolerance test to assess insulin resistance. Constipation was evaluated using the Bristol stool scale.
Results:
None of the tests, acetaminophen absorption, FITC-dextran absorption or glucose tolerance, showed a difference between control and MPTP-treated monkeys. MPTP-treated monkeys did present signs of transit acceleration.
Conclusion:
While the MPTP monkey model reliably displays motor and certain non-motor symptoms of PD, the current study did not demonstrate the GI symptoms associated with PD.
Insights
The MPTP monkey model of Parkinson's disease (PD) did not show altered gastric emptying, intestinal permeability, or insulin resistance. However, MPTP-treated monkeys exhibited accelerated gastrointestinal transit.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with gastrointestinal (GI) and metabolic dysfunction.
- Enteric nervous system alterations are known in the MPTP monkey model of PD.
- GI functional parameters like gastric emptying and intestinal permeability in this model are not well-characterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate GI functional parameters (gastric emptying, intestinal permeability) and insulin resistance in the MPTP-treated monkey model of PD.
- To assess if the MPTP model replicates the GI symptoms observed in human PD patients.
Main Methods:
- Eight rhesus macaques (4 control, 4 MPTP-treated) underwent acetaminophen absorption tests for gastric emptying.
- FITC-dextran absorption tests were used to evaluate intestinal permeability.
- Intravenous glucose tolerance tests assessed insulin resistance, and the Bristol stool scale evaluated constipation.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in acetaminophen absorption, FITC-dextran absorption, or glucose tolerance between control and MPTP-treated groups.
- MPTP-treated monkeys demonstrated accelerated gastrointestinal transit.
- Constipation was not explicitly detailed as different between groups in the provided results.
Conclusions:
- The MPTP monkey model, while exhibiting motor and some non-motor PD symptoms, did not replicate key GI functional deficits (gastric emptying, intestinal permeability, insulin resistance) seen in PD.
- Further research may be needed to fully understand GI pathophysiology in this PD model.
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