Neuroprotective Effects Of P2x4 Receptor On 6-Ohda-Induced Parkinson'S Disease In Rats

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective mechanism and effect of P2X4 receptor (P2X4R) inhibition on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced Parkinsons disease in rats.Methods: Seventy-two clean, healthy male Wistar rats were randomly selected, and 6-OHDA was used to establish a rat model of Parkinsons disease. The rats were divided into control group, model group and intervention group, with 24 rats in each group. The number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons was calculated by fluorescence microscopy. The mRNA and protein expression levels of P2X4R, interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), caspase-1 and NLRP3 in the substantia nigra of each group were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.Results: The number of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons in the model group was significantly decreased compared to the control group, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of P2X4R, IL-18, IL-1 beta, caspase-1 and NLRP3 in the substantia nigra were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the number of tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons in the intervention group was significantly increased, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of P2X4R, IL-18, IL-1 beta, caspase-1 and NLRP3 in the substantia nigra were significantly decreased (P<0.05).Conclusion: Inhibition of P2X4R has a neuroprotective effect on 6-OHDA-induced Parkinsons disease, which may be a result of inhibiting the inflammatory response and reducing the degeneration and death of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of Parkinsons rats.