Caffeine's neuroprotection against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine toxicity shows no tolerance to chronic caffeine administration in mice

Neurosci Lett. 2002 Mar 29;322(1):13-6. doi: 10.1016/s0304-3940(02)00069-1.

Abstract

We investigated the effect of chronic daily caffeine treatment on caffeine's neuroprotection against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced dopaminergic toxicity. Mice received either caffeine (20 mg/kg) or saline daily for 9 days. Caffeine-induced locomotion tolerance developed within 3 days of treatment and persisted for the duration of the experiment. On day 10, mice were treated with MPTP (20 mg/kg, x4). Caffeine (20 mg/kg) or saline was administered 10 min before each MPTP dose. Acute pretreatment with caffeine attenuated MPTP-induced loss of striatal dopamine and dopamine transporter binding sites, and this attenuation was identical in mice pretreated chronically with caffeine or with saline. Thus, in contrast to the locomotor stimulant effect of caffeine, its neuroprotectant effect did not show tolerance to prior caffeine exposure. These data raise the possibility that caffeine may induce neuroprotection and locomotion by distinct mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites / drug effects
  • Binding Sites / physiology
  • Caffeine / pharmacology*
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Dopamine Agents / pharmacology*
  • Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Tolerance / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mazindol
  • Membrane Glycoproteins*
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / drug effects
  • Membrane Transport Proteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Neostriatum / drug effects
  • Neostriatum / metabolism
  • Neostriatum / physiopathology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Neurotoxins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / metabolism
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / physiopathology
  • Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists
  • Radioligand Assay
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2A
  • Receptors, Purinergic P1 / metabolism
  • Tritium

Substances

  • Dopamine Agents
  • Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Neurotoxins
  • Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2A
  • Receptors, Purinergic P1
  • Tritium
  • Caffeine
  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine
  • Mazindol
  • Dopamine