Description

The present study has been designed to investigate the protective effect of calcium channel blockers against MPTP - induced Parkinson's disease-like symptoms in rats. The novel protocol showed that repeated bilateral infusion of MPTP into the SNpc by stereotactic surgery caused degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. Body weight and behavioral parameters (locomotor, rotarod and activity on narrow beam walk) were assessed on 14th, 21st and 28th day post-MPTP administration. Malondialdehyde, nitrite concentration, superoxide dismutase, catalase levels and Cytokines level (TNF- and IL-1beta) were measured on the 28th day. Administration of MPTP significantly impaired behavioral and biochemical parameters, suggesting significant mitochondrial dysfunction as compared to sham control rats. Further, increased level of TNF- and IL-1beta conferred neuroinflammation after MPTP administration in brain. Post treatment with cilnidipine dual L- and N- type and verapamil L-type for 14 days significantly improved behavioral parameters and oxidative damage as compared to MPTP-treated group. Calcium channel blockers treatment also reduced the cytokine levels in brain.