Journal
PHARMACOLOGY
Volume 71, Issue 3, Pages 162-168Publisher
KARGER
DOI: 10.1159/000077451
Keywords
cabergoline; nerve growth factor; brain-derived neurotrophic factor; glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor; astrocytes; Parkinson's disease
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Neuroprotection is the primary concern in patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease. The D-2/weak D-1 dopamine agonist cabergoline elicits neuroprotection by antioxidation and scavenging free radicals, and may protect neurons by up-regulating endogenous neurotrophic factors synthesis in the brain. In primary cultured mouse astrocytes, cabergoline 37 mumol/l immediately elevated concentrations of nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor ( GDNF) in culture medium, reaching 9.9-, 2.6- and 30-fold, respectively, of control levels at 16 h. Relative mRNA levels were 3.0-, 1.5- and 1.9-fold, respectively, of controls at 3 h. These effects may be mediated partly by the dopamine D-2 receptor. Cabergoline may be a good candidate for an inducer of GDNF, which may have neuroprotective and neurorestorative properties in dopaminergic nigral neurons. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.
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