Figure 4

HCT1026 preventive administration inhibits MPTP-induced dose-dependent loss of TH⁺ cell bodies in SNpc. Ageing mice fed with a ct or HCT1026 diets were submitted to the subchronic MPTP (5 mg, 15 mg or 30 mg kg^-1, for 5 consecutive d) regimen, and DAergic cell survival studied after 7 d. A-E: Representative confocal images of dual staining with TH- (green) and DAT- (red) -Abs of coronal midbrain sections at the level of the SNpc 7 d after MPTP. Note the significant protection afforded by HCT10926 preventive treatment in mice treated with the 5 mg kg^-1 dose (see panels G-I) as compared to MPTP mice fed with a ct diet (D-F). F. Survival of DAergic cell bodies in SNpc. The total number of TH⁺ and Nissl ⁺ neurons was counted throught the entire rostro-caudal axis of the SNpc. Treatment groups were averaged (means ± S.E.M.) * p < 0.05 vs saline; *°p < 0.05, vs MPTP mice fed with a ct diet. HCT1026 significantly reduced the dose-dependent decrease of TH⁺ and Nissl ⁺ neurons.