Selective destruction of dopaminergic neurons by low concentrations of 6-OHDA and MPP+: protection by acetylsalicylic acid aspirin.

We optimized a mesencephalic cell culture system to employ low concentrations of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) and 1-methyl-4 phenylpyridinium (MPP+), neurotoxins known to trigger oxidative stress in dopaminergic cells. Both 6-OHDA and MPP(+) at 5 micro M reproducibly reduced the survival of dopaminergic neurons by 50-70% (p<0.02) without affecting the survival of the non-dopaminergic neuronal population. We found that 1mM of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), significantly (p<0.05) increased the survival of dopaminergic neurons exposed to either neurotoxin. The mechanisms underlying neuroprotection by ASA may be of therapeutic import in Parkinson's disease.