Synergistical neuroprotection of rofecoxib and statins against malonic acid induced Huntington's disease like symptoms and related cognitive dysfunction in rats.

Malonic acid (MA) is a reversible inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) which induces mitochondrial dysfunction followed by secondary excitotoxicity and apoptosis due to generation of reactive oxygen species. Therapeutic potential of rofecoxib and statins have been well documented in several experimental models of neurodegenerative disorders, however, its exact mechanism of action is not known properly. Therefore, the present study is an attempt to investigate the effect of rofecoxib along with the statins against MA induced behavioural and biochemical alterations in rats. Single intrastriatal MA (6 µmol) significantly caused motor incordination, memory dysfunction and alteration in the antioxidant enzyme levels, mitochondrial enzyme complex (I, II, IV) activities, mitochondrial redox ratio and pro-inflammatory cytokine [tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] levels in the striatum as compared to the naive group. Fourteen days treatment with rofecoxib, atorvastatin, simvastatin significantly attenuated these behavioural, biochemical, and cellular alterations as compared to control (MA treated group). However, the treatment of rofecoxib along with atorvastatin or simvastatin significantly attenuated these behavioural, biochemical, and cellular alterations as compared to their individual effects. The results of the present study demonstrated that rofecoxib modulates the protective effects of statins against MA-induced neurobehavioral and related biochemical and cellular alterations in rats. This further provides evidence toward the involvement of neuroinflammatory cascade in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease.