Parkinson's disease (PD) is due to widespread degeneration in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The hallmark pathology remains in the dopaminergic striatal insufficiency and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra.
Objectives: The present study analysed the effect of serotonin (5-HT), dopamine, and norepinephrine as treatment on rotenone induced hemi-Parkinson's disease in rats and its role in the regulation of dopamine receptor subtypes in the corpus striatum of the experimental rats.
Methods: Unilateral stereotaxic single-dose infusions of rotenone were administered to the substantia nigra of adult male Wistar rats. Neurotransmitters serotonin (5-HT), dopamine, and norepinephrine treatments were given to rotenone induced hemi-Parkinson's rats. Dopamine receptor and its subtypes (D₁ and D₂) binding assay were carried out. Gene expression studies of dopamine D₁ and D₂ were carried out using real-time PCR.
Results: Scatchard analysis of dopamine and dopamine D₂ receptor showed a significant increase (P<0.001) and dopamine D₁ receptor showed a significant decrease (P<0.001) in the B(max) in corpus striatum of the PD rats compared to control. These altered parameters were reversed to near control in the serotonin- and norepinephrine-treated PD rats and no change was observed in dopamine-treated PD rats. Real-time PCR results confirmed the receptor data.
Conclusion: Our results showed that serotonin and norepinephrine functionally reversed in dopamine receptors in rotenone-induced hemi-Parkinson's rat. This has clinical significance in the therapeutic management of PD.