Neuroprotective effects of taurine in a rodent model of parkinson's disease involve modulating astrocyte-mediated inflammation

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons due to oxidative stress and inflammation. Targeting inflammation and oxidative stress offers a promising means of slowing PD progression. Taurine, a naturally occurring amino sulfonic acid, has demonstrated potent antioxidant properties, thereby preventing cell death. While taurine has been studied for its potential to restrain the progression of Alzheimer's disease and mitigate microglial activation, its impact on astrocyte activation in PD models remains underexplored. Here, we found that taurine significantly reduces astroglial activation in MPP⁺-induced primary astrocytes by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. Additionally, in vivo experiments in MPTP-induced PD models using male C57BL/6 mice showed that taurine improved motor function, protected against dopaminergic neuronal loss, and reduced glial activation in the striatum and substantia nigra. These findings highlight that the anti-inflammatory effects of taurine involve the inhibition of astroglial activation, suggesting that taurine has therapeutic potential in PD.

Keywords: Astrocyte; MPTP(1, Methyl, 4, Phenyl, 1,2,3,6, Tetrahydropyridine); Mitochondria; Neuroinflammation; Parkinson’s Disease; Taurine.