INCREASED SPONTANEOUS APOPTOSIS OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD LYMPHOCYTES FROM PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Abstract

Abstract. Progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons from substantia nigra is the major pathomorphologicasign in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Neuronal death is suggested to occur by programmed cell death (apoptosis) in PD patients, thus being involved into the mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Indirect signs of apoptosis may be revealed in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from PD patients. Using flow cytometry and annexin V-binding kit (PI + Annexin V FITC), we estimated PBL apoptosis in nine patients with PD (four untreated cases and five persons treated with L-DOPA), as compared with nine control persons. Spontaneous apoptosis at 24 h was higher in PD patients, as compared with controls (p < 0.01). Apoptosis rate was lower in patients receiving therapy with L-DOPA, than in untreated patients (p < 0.01). Our results support a possible role of apoptosis in PD pathogenesis, and suggest some effects of L-DOPA treatment upon apoptotic rates of peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Keywords

• parkinson’s disease
• apoptosis
• lymphocytes