Genetic Susceptibility Model of Parkinson's Disease Resulting from Exposure of DJ-1 Deficient Mice to MPTP: Evaluation of Neuroprotection by Ubisol-Q10

Introduction: Parkinson's disease arises from a combination of environmental and genetic risk factors. At present neither the curative nor preventative therapies are available; hence, there is an urgent need to develop reliable animal models to facilitate their development. Water soluble nanomiceller formulation of CoQ(10) (Ubisol-Q(10)) has shown neuroprotection against neurotoxin on human neuronal cells. We have combined the genetic deficiency of DJ-1/PARK7 mice with MPTP exposure and develop a genetic susceptibility model of PD and evaluated the neuroprotective efficacy of (Ubisol-Q(10)). Methods: Transgenic mice with DJ-1 deficiency (DJ-1/PARK7) were given either water or Ubisol-Q(10) prophylactically at a dose of 6 mg/kg/day added directly to a drinking water for one month followed challenged with MPTP injections while keeping the same drinking water regiments. Four weeks after the last injection we evaluated neuroprotective efficacy of Ubisol- Q(10) in DJ-1/MPTP model of PD using histochemical and behavioral readouts. Results: We confirmed genetic susceptibility to MPTP and showed that prophylactic oral treatment with Ubisol- Q(10) significantly offset the neurotoxicity and ameliorated motor dysfunction, otherwise correlated with the MPTP injury. Conclusion: Ubisol- Q(10) protects against MPTP-induced neurodegeneration and motor dysfunction in DJ-1 deficient mice. Ubisol-Q(10) might be a treatment prospect for people genetically predisposed to PD as well as with sporadic PD.