Effect of Egb761 Supplementation on Metallothionein I + Ii Expression after 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium Neurotoxicity

Metallothionein I+II(MTI+II) are neuroprotective proteins with an antioxidant action during 1-methyl-4phenylpyridinium (MPP+) neurotoxicity, a model of Parkinson’s disease. EGb761 has neuroprotective effects, via its antioxidant action. Here, we investigated whether in vivo pretreatment with EGb761 alters the expression of MT I+ II during MPP+ neurotoxicicity. C-57 black mice were pretreated with EGb761 (10 mg/kg) daily for 17 days followed by administration of MPP (0.72 mg/kg) and were sacrificed 2 h, 24 h or 7 days later. Quantitative immunohistochemical evaluation of MT I + II expression was significantly elevated at 24 h in the striatum (21%) and substantia nigra (51%) in MPP group. Pretreatment with EGb761 in MPP group regulated the MT I + II expression at 24 h to the normal levels in striatum and substantia nigra. Results suggest that EGb761-induced MT I + II expression is due to its protective action against MPP neurotoxicity.