Whole body hyperthermia reduces oxidative stress in the striatum of rats in an animal model of mitochondrial toxicity with 3-nitropropionic acid.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to determine whether whole body hyperthermia (WBH) could reduce oxidative stress in the striatum produced by 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), a mitochondrial toxin that irreversibly inhibits succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), causing impairment of energy metabolism, oxidative stress and a selective degeneration of striatal cells.

METHODS

Rats were subjected to WBH (42 degrees C) or normothermia control conditions for 30 min and then treated with 3-NP. Striatum samples were processed and the levels of protein carbonyl groups, biogenic amines, Hsp72 and salicylate hydroxylation (to probe the hydroxyl radical (OH(*)) intervention) were determined.

RESULTS

WBH significantly reduced oxidative stress in the striatum of animals treated with 3-NP, as judged by reductions in protein carbonyl and salicylate hydroxylation derivative levels, whereas striatal Hsp72 expression was significantly increased. The groups treated with 3-NP presented an increased in the dopamine (DA) derivatives 2,3-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and norepinephrine (NE) concentration, whereas the striatal relation DOPAC/DA concentration indicate a reduced dopamine turnover.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies show, for the first time, that a heat shock pretreatment can ameliorate the oxidative stress produced by a metabolic toxin (3-NP) capable of impairing energy supply and produce selective striatal degeneration. These data contribute to a better understanding of the potential for thermal stress to modulate the type of oxidative stress usually present in neurodegenerative disorders associated with metabolic defects.