OXY-RADICAL TOXICITY IN CATECHOLAMINE NEURONS

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 5  (1) , 77-82
Abstract
The evidence that oxyradicals are involved in the destruction of catecholamine [CA] neurons by polyphenolic neurotoxins is summarized. Superoxide-mediated damage by 6-hydroxydopamine [6-OHDA] can be suppressed by intracellular CA, which act as scavengers of the superoxide radical. Administration of exogenous hydroxyl radical-scavenging agents protects peripheral sympathetic neurons from destruction by 6-OHDA, 6-aminodopamine or 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine. Intraneuronal monoamine oxidase may drive cellular senescence of the nigrostriatal tract in patients with Parkinson''s disease by generating hydrogen peroxide and derived oxy-radicals during the metabolism of endogenous dopamine.