The role of calcium channel blockers and resveratrol in the prevention of paraquat-induced parkinsonism in Drosophila melanogaster: a locomotor analysis

Invert Neurosci. 2011 Jun;11(1):43-51. doi: 10.1007/s10158-011-0116-3. Epub 2011 Apr 27.

Abstract

Studies have suggested that neuronal loss in Parkinson's disease (PD) could be related to the pacemaker activity of the substantia nigra pars compacta generated by L-type Ca(v) 1.3 calcium channels, which progressively substitute voltage-dependent sodium channels in this region during aging. Besides this mechanism, which leads to increases in intracellular calcium, other factors are also known to play a role in dopaminergic cell death due to overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Thus, dihydropyridines, a class of calcium channel blockers, and resveratrol, a polyphenol that presents antioxidant properties, may represent therapeutic alternatives for the prevention of PD. In the present study, we tested the effects of the dihydropyridines, isradipine, nifedipine, and nimodipine and of resveratrol upon locomotor behavior in Drosophila melanogaster. As previously described, paraquat induced parkinsonian-like motor deficits. Moreover, none of the drugs tested were able to prevent the motor deficits produced by paraquat. Additionally, isradipine, nifedipine, resveratrol, and ethanol (vehicle), when used in isolation, induced motor deficits in flies. This study is the first demonstration that dyhidropyridines and resveratrol are unable to reverse the locomotor impairments induced by paraquat in Drosophila melanogaster.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants* / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants* / metabolism
  • Antioxidants* / therapeutic use
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / administration & dosage*
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / metabolism
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / therapeutic use
  • Calcium Channels / drug effects
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism
  • Dihydropyridines* / administration & dosage
  • Dihydropyridines* / metabolism
  • Dihydropyridines* / therapeutic use
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Nerve Degeneration / chemically induced*
  • Nerve Degeneration / metabolism
  • Paraquat
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / chemically induced
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / metabolism
  • Resveratrol
  • Stilbenes* / administration & dosage
  • Stilbenes* / metabolism
  • Stilbenes* / therapeutic use
  • Substantia Nigra / cytology
  • Substantia Nigra / drug effects
  • Substantia Nigra / metabolism

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Calcium Channels
  • Dihydropyridines
  • Stilbenes
  • Paraquat
  • Resveratrol
  • Dopamine