Since we learned in PSIO 480 that caffeine may play a role in decreasing the incidence of Parkinson’s Disease (PD), I wondered if there was any more recent research on this. I found this study by Singh et al published this past February in the journal Brain Research.
Although previous studies have shown neuroprotective effects of caffeine and nicotine against PD (see article’s references), no conclusion of the exact mechanism has been made. This study attempted to determine the effect of caffeine and nicotine on toxicant responsive enzymes and vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT-2), which are involved in chemically-induced PD. Since decreased expression of toxicant responsive genes such as CYP1A1 and VMAT-2 result in cellular damage and since this altered expression is seen in chemically-induced PD, the authors hypothesized that caffeine and nicotine may have an effect on these genes and proteins.
The study used an accepted model of chemically-induced PD that includes giving animals a chemical called MPTP, which is “a contaminant in synthetic heroin.” The study pre-treated mice with caffeine, nicotine, or saline (control) for 8 weeks. Then the animals were divided into subgroups, where some did not receive MPTP and other groups were co-treated with MPTP and caffeine or nicotine for 1 day to 4 weeks.
Biochemical analysis was performed on the striatum of the mice. Results showed that MPTP decreased dopamine in mice, but mice co-treated with MPTP and caffeine or nicotine had less of a decrease in dopamine compared to controls. Also, MPTP decreased CYP1A1 and VMAT-2 expression, while mice pre-treated with either caffeine or nicotine showed significant reversal of this decrease. All in all, caffeine and nicotine showed a reduction in toxicity of chemically-induced PD.
BUT, I am definitely not endorsing smoking or excessive caffeine-drinking!
Here's the journal article citation:
Singh S et al: Nicotine and caffeine-mediated modulation in the expression of toxicant responsive genes and vesicular monoamine transporter-2 in 1-methyl 4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson's Disease phenotype in mouse. Brain Research, Feb. 2008
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