R-α–Lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine optimal combinations in MPP+- induced cellular model of Parkinson’s disease

Mitochondrial insufficiency and oxidative damage contribute to the etiopathology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, there is a dearth of information on the protective activities against PD of mitochondrial nutrients, safe for coenzyme Q10. In the present study, the PD protective effects of two mitochondrial nutrients, R-α–lipoic acid (LA) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), as well as their combinations using 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+)-treated SKN-MC human neuroblastoma cells as a model of PD was examined. Pretreatment of cells with LA (1-100 μM), ALC (1-100 μM) or LA-ALC (1:10; 10:100; 100:100 μM) combinations showed protective effects against MPP+-induced toxicity of cells. The best concentrations were LA-ALC (1:10 μM) combination, LA (10 μM) and ALC (100 μM) in that order, thus indicating a synergy by the mitochondrial nutrients. This could be a promising strategy in combating PD and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Keywords
Parkinson’s disease; R-α–lipoic acid; Acetyl-L-carnitine; 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion; SKN-MC human neuroblastoma cells