INVOLVEMENT OF FREE-RADICALS IN MPP(-NEURONS IN CULTURE() NEUROTOXICITY AGAINST RAT DOPAMINERGIC)

To examine the mechanisms of the neurotoxicity of 1-methyl-4-phenylpyr idinium (MPP(+)) against dopaminergic neurons, ventral mesencephalic c ells from embryonic rats were cultured and exposed to MPP(+) with vari ous antioxidants or glutamate receptor antagonists to investigate the participation of free radicals and glutamate, respectively. Such antio xidants as vitamin E, vitamin C, coenzyme Q(10), and catalase, but nei ther allopurinol nor superoxide dismutase, alleviated the MPP(+)-induc ed death of dopaminergic neurons, while glutamate receptor antagonists did not alter MPP(+) neurotoxicity. These findings suggest the partic ipation of free radicals, particularly hydroxyl radicals rather than s uperoxides, in the process of dopaminergic neuronal death evoked by MP P(+).