Erythropoietin exerts neuroprotection in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-treated C57/BL mice via increasing nitric oxide production

Erythropoietin (EPO), produced by the kidney and fetal liver, is a cytokine -hormone that stimulates erythropoiesis under hypoxic conditions. It has be en shown that EPO is produced in the central nervous system and its recepto r is expressed on neurons. Since EPO has neuroprotective effects in vitro a nd in vivo against brain injury, we investigated the effect of EPO treatmen t on locomotor activities of animals, survival of nigral dopaminergic neuro ns and nitrate levels in substantia nigra and striatum in 1-methyl-4-phenyl -1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced animal model of Parkinsonism in C57/BL mice. Our findings suggest that EPO has protective and treating effe ct in MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in this mouse model of Parkinson's Disease via increasing nitric oxide production. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.