Possible neuroprotective role of adropin in a Parkinson´s disease animal model

• Grant number: 23/05573-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - General Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Luiz Roberto Giorgetti de Britto
• Grantee: Lívia Moreno Lemuchi
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Parkinson´s disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, followed by motor and non-motor symptoms. Although dopaminergic reposition can treat motor symptoms, it does not interrupt PD progression. Therefore, several studies search strategies to revert the molecular alterations that trigger this disease, mitigating the ensuing neurodegeneration. A potential therapeutic peptide for PD is adropin, which, among many actions, activates the phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase and protein kinase Akt (PI3K/AKt) pathway, promoting anti-apoptosis effects by the inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3²). Using the PD model induced by the injection of 6-hydroxy-dopamine into the right striatum, the main target of the substantia nigra, this project aims to evaluate the therapeutic effects promoted by the administration of adropine, through behavioral tests, immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting techniques.