Reactive Oxygen Species/Caspase 3 Promotes Autophagy of Nigral Dopaminergic Neuron in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized as bradykinesia and sleep disorder, troubling numerous people. In the present study, we aimed to explore whether reactive oxygen species (ROS)/caspase 3 promotes PD to provide a basis for novel treatments of PD. Firstly, we applied 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) to stimulate PC12 cell lines to establish a PD cell model. Western blot and qRT-PCR analyses detected protein and mRNA expression of caspase 3, IL-1β, Bax, and BCL2. Finally, ROS detection kit determined ROS content. Compared with the controls, MPP+-treated PC12 exhibited significantly elevated caspase 3, caspase 3, and IL-1β at the protein level (p < 0.001). In addition, MMP + treatment increased Bax protein level in vitro, while decreased Bcl-2 protein expression (p <0.001). Moreover, MPP + induced oxidative stress which contributes to autophagy. The ROS in MPP + group was increased significantly (p < 0.001). ROS and caspase 3 participate in the pathogenesis of PD and enhances autophagy of nigral dopaminergic neuron.