Daidzein alleviates neuronal damage and oxidative stress via GSK3β/Nrf2 pathway in mice
Xuerui Wang, Zequn Yin, Xianshe Meng, Daigang Yang, Huawen Meng, Chenzhong Liao, Lingling Wei, Yuanli Chen, Xiaoxiao Yang, Jihong Han, Yajun Duan, Shuang Zhang
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Daidzein (DAI) is one of the most commonly ingested phytoestrogens with anti-oxidant properties. However, the effects of DAI on oxidative stress in PD has not been reported. In this study, we used 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) for intraperitoneal injection of C57/BL6J mice for continuous 7 days to simulate the pathological process of PD. Results showed that DAI improved the movement disorders and reduced the loss of DA neurons in the brain of mice induced by MPTP. Mechanistically, in vitro, DAI pretreatment up-regulated the expression of Nrf2 and its downstream SOD1 and SOD2 by inhibiting the activity of GSK3β in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 cells; in vivo, DAI pretreatment attenuated GSK3β activity, increased the expression of Nrf2 and downstream anti-oxidants SOD1, SOD2 and CAT. Our data demonstrated that DAI restrains oxidative stress in PD by regulating the GSK3β/Nrf2 pathway.