Histomorphometric Study of Lycopene Effect on the Number of Neurons Containing D1, D2 and GABA Receptors in Hippocampus and Amygdala in OffspringsRat from Parkinson’s Mothers
Zabihollah Khaksar*, Sara Azhdari and Mahnaz TaherianfardDepartment of Basic sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract: Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disease of extrapyramidal system. After Alzheimer’s disease, it is placed at the second category of degenerative diseases. The core cells of substantianigra located in midbrain is gradually disappeared and dopamine receptors and GABA neurons are reduced in the brain, in Parkinson’s disease. It is likely that the disease has genetic backgrounds. Since chemical medicines have multiple complications on rats’ fetuses and offsprings from mother with Parkinson’s disease, so the purpose of this study is histomorphometric investigation of lycopene’s effect on neurons containingdopamine receptors and GABA in Offsprings rat from mothers with Parkinson’s disease. A total number of 40 adult female rats were used in this study and randomly divided into five groups, including: control group, patient group (6-hydroxydopamine was unilaterally injected into right side ofsubstantianigra by Hamilitonsyringe), sham group (0.02% ascorbic acid was unilaterally injected intoright side ofsubstantianigra), lycopene control group (received 0.5 ml/kg lycopene by gavage), and lycopene treatment group (induction of Parkinson’s disease + 0.5 ml/kg lycopene). After 15th and 30th days of the experiment, the pups were anesthetized and their brains removed for the rest of the processes. The density of neurons containing D1, D2 dopamine and GABA receptors were then analyzed with immunohistochemistry method using optical microscope. The obtained results showed reduction in the number of neurons containing dopamine receptors (D1, D2) and GABAin both hippocampus and amygdala regions related to 15- and 30-day old pups of the patient group. The number of neurons containing D1, D2 dopamine and GABAreceptors in hippocampus and amygdala regionsof the lycopene treatment group increased compared tothose of the patient group. Probably due to the production of free radicals and lipids peroxidation, 6-hydroxydopamine in a time-dependent manner reduces neurons containing D1 and D2 dopamine receptors and GABA in hippocampus and amygdala regions. Reduction of receptors in amygdala region is more than the hippocampus area. Because of neuroprotective and antioxidant properties, lycopene extract increases these neurons and thereby improves Parkinson’s disease in under treatment group.
Keywords: Histomorphometric; Lycopene; Dopamine Neurons; GABA Neurons; Parkinson’s disease; Offspring Rats Back to TOC