Fullerene C60 and ascorbic acid protect cultured chromaffin cells against levodopa toxicity.

Adrenal chromaffin cell (ACC) transplants, alone or combined with levodopa treatment, were used in attempted therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD). In a previous study, we demonstrated that levodopa caused chromaffin cell death either by necrosis or by apoptosis in cell culture. Here we report the beneficial effect of a water-soluble derivative of fullerene C(60) (a novel molecule with potent antioxidant properties) and of ascorbic acid when applied to chromaffin cell cultures exposed to levodopa. Both antioxidants remarkably increase the ACC survival and prevent cell death, including apoptosis. Although ACC transplants are not currently considered as an option for PD treatment, these observations should help in exploring the possibilities of preventing the neurotoxicity generated by levodopa and in envisaging new strategies for PD treatment by combining the clinical use of levodopa and potent antioxidants. Chemical properties of fullerene related to biological uses are discussed.