Nerve growth factor and striatal glutathione metabolism in a rat model of Huntington's disease

Article type: Short Communication

Authors: Cruz-Aguado, Reyniel | Turner, Liliana Francis | Díaz, Carmen M. | Piñero, Janet

Affiliations: Neurochemistry Laboratory, International Center for Neurological Restoration, Havana, Cuba

Note: [] Reyniel Cruz-Aguado, Neurochemistry Lab., International Center for Neurological Restoration, Ave. 25 No. 15805, Havana 11300, Cuba. Tel.: +53 7 215353; Fax: +53 7 336028; E mail: [email protected].

Abstract: Purpose: To test the influence of nerve growth factor (NGF) on striatal glutathione (GSH) content and the activities of GSH-related enzymes from quinolinic acid-lesioned rats. Methods: Rats were intrastriatally injected with QA and NGF. Enzymatic and GSH assays were performed one week later. Results: NGF prevented the QA-induced decline in glutathione reductase activity and GSH content. Conclusions: NGF is able to prevent some of the disturbances induced by the excitotoxic insult in the striatal GSH metabolism.

Keywords: nerve growth factor, glutathione, quinolinic acid, Huntington's disease, oxidative stress, striatum

Journal: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 217-221, 2000