Heptachlor induced nigral dopaminergic neuronal loss and Parkinsonism-like movement deficits in mice.
- Author:
Seokheon HONG
1
;
Joohyun HWANG
;
Joo Yeon KIM
;
Ki Soon SHIN
;
Shin Jung KANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords: apoptosis; dopaminergic neuron; heptachlor; mitochondria; organochlorine; Parkinson's disease
- MeSH: Animals; *Apoptosis; Astrocytes/drug effects/pathology; Cell Line, Tumor; Cells, Cultured; Dopaminergic Neurons/*drug effects/pathology; Gait; Heptachlor/*toxicity; Humans; *Locomotion; Mice; Neurotoxicity Syndromes/etiology/physiopathology; Parkinsonian Disorders/chemically induced; Pesticides/*toxicity; Substantia Nigra/*drug effects/pathology/physiopathology
- From:Experimental & Molecular Medicine 2014;46(2):e80-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Epidemiological studies have suggested an association between pesticide exposure and Parkinson's disease. In this study, we examined the neurotoxicity of an organochlorine pesticide, heptachlor, in vitro and in vivo. In cultured SH-SY5Y cells, heptachlor induced mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. When injected into mice intraperitoneally on a subchronic schedule, heptachlor induced selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. In addition, the heptachlor injection induced gliosis of microglia and astrocytes selectively in the ventral midbrain area. When the general locomotor activities were monitored by open field test, the heptachlor injection did not induce any gross motor dysfunction. However, the compound induced Parkinsonism-like movement deficits when assessed by a gait and a pole test. These results suggest that heptachlor can induce Parkinson's disease-related neurotoxicities in vivo.
