Methods in molecular medicine
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ABSTRUCT: Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with progressive degeneration of melanin-containing dopamine neuron cell bodies arising in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and projecting terminals to the striatum. The disease is best characterized biochemically as a deficiency of striatal dopamine. The mechanism of neurodegeneration remains an enigma despite a large body of investigation and several hypotheses (1-5). ⋯ Whether OS is a primary or secondary event in PD has not been established, but when it does occur, OS can lead to a cascade of events resulting in the demise of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. One approach toward protection of such neurons is the use of radical scavengers or iron chelators as neuroprotective drugs (10). Table 1 Biochemical Alterations in Substantia Nigra of Parkinson's Disease Indicating Oxidative Stress Elevated Decreased Iron (in microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and melanized dopamine neurons and mitochondria) GSH (GSSG unchanged); GSH/GSSG ratio decreased Mitochondrial complex I Ferritin Calcium binding protein (calbindin 28) Mitochondrial monoamine oxidase B Transferrin and transferrin receptor Lipofuscin Vitamins E and C Ubiquitin Copper Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase Cytotoxic cytokines (TNF-a, IL-1, IL-6) Inflammatory transcription factor NFKB Heme oxygenase-1 Ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathione (GSSG/GSH) Nitric oxide Neuromelanin.