Is apomorphine neurotoxic?

Apomorphine is a potent dopamine agonist that displays efficient antiparkin sonian properties. However, it is a catechol that easily autoxidates, formi ng both potentially toxic quinone-related compounds and reactive oxygen spe cies. The consequences of its oxidant and toxic properties have been poorly investigated on in vitro models. In a recent work, we studied apomorphine autoxidation by recording the formation of a neuromelanin product. We also investigated apomorphine toxicity on cultures of rat glioma C6 cells and pr imary cultures of neurons using different concentrations of the drug. Apomo rphine-promoted cell death was proportional to its concentration and was ti me-dependent. Both toxicity of apomorphine and neuromelanin formation were partially prevented by thiol reagents, suggesting the involvement of an oxi dative stress in the toxicity promoted by apomorphine.