Rosiglitazone protects human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells against MPP+ induced cytotoxicity via inhibition of mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS production.

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP(+)), an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I, has been widely used as a neurotoxin because it elicits a severe Parkinson's disease-like syndrome with elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and apoptotic death. Rosiglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma agonist, has been known to show various non-hypoglycemic effects, including anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, and anti-apoptotic. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of rosiglitazone on MPP(+) induced cytotoxicity in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, as well as underlying mechanism. Our results suggested that the protective effects of rosiglitazone on MPP(+) induced apoptosis may be ascribed to its anti-oxidative properties, anti-apoptotic activity via inducing expression of SOD and catalase and regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. These data indicated that rosiglitazone might provide a valuable therapeutic strategy for the treatment of progressive neurodegenerative disease such as Parkinson's disease.