Abstract

Alev Cumbul

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Valproic acid (VPA) and compare it with L-DOPA in a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) induced neurodegeneration. Male Wistar Albino rats received intranigral injection of 8μg 6-OHDA unilaterally. 12 days later they received either Saline, L-DOPA, VPA or L-DOPA+ VPA for 9 days sub acutely. In order to determine whether they had dopaminergic neuronal loss their turning behavior was measured after apomorphine injection. Brain samples were prepared for immunohistochemistry and molecular mechanisms. 6-OHDA injection showed significant damage of dopaminergic neurons. VPA treatment protected neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta. L-DOPA’S effect was synergistic. However, the effects on histone acetylation or phosphorylation of p90RSK and ribosomal S6 protein were not so clear.