Ropinirole Cotreatment Prevents Perivascular Glial Recruitment in a Rat Model of L-DOPA-Induced Dyskinesia

Dopamine replacement therapy for Parkinson’s disease is achieved using L-DOPA or dopamine D2/3 agonists, such as ropinirole. Here, we compare the effects of and ropinirole, alone in combination, on patterns glial microvascular reactivity striatum. Rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions were treated therapeutic-like doses (6 mg/kg), an equipotent L-DOPA-ropinirole combination (L-DOPA 3 mg/kg plus ropinirole 0.5 alone. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine microglia (ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1, IBA-1) astroglia (glial fibrillary acidic protein, GFAP), well blood vessel density (rat endothelial cell antigen RECA-1) albumin extravasation. monotreatment L-DOPA–ropinirole cotreatment induced moderate-severe dyskinesia, whereas had negligible dyskinetic effects. Despite similar dyskinesia severity, striking differences perivascular astroglial found between animals vs. L-DOPA–ropinirole. The former exhibited a marked upregulation IBA-1 cells (in part CD68-positive) IBA-1–RECA-1 contact points, along increased microvessel strong GFAP expression. None these markers significantly upregulated In summary, although does not prevent L-DOPA-induced it protects from maladaptive gliovascular changes otherwise associated this disorder, potential long-term benefits striatal tissue homeostasis.