Conclusion
VA -medium dose pursued brain targeting in PD with the potential capability of regenerating neurons and restoring dopaminergic transmission. This may place this therapy as an essential treatment in PD management protocol.
Methods
Fluorescently labeled VA -coupled liposomes (FLV) were traced using confocal laser microscope in rats with induced PD for detecting brain accumulation and uptake into fluorescently labeled astrocytes. Liver fibrosis associated with PD was assessed biochemically and histopathologically, while VA deficiency was confirmed by assessing retinol-binding protein gene expression in the brain and liver. Multiple VA doses were tested for reversing PD-associated liver fibrosis, generating TFs (involved in reprograming astrocytes/fibroblasts into different neuronal types) and capability of dopaminergic-neurons regeneration.
Results
Fluorescently labeled VA -coupled liposomes revealed selective brain accumulation and uptake into astrocytes. PD was associated with significant liver fibrosis and VA deficiency in the brain and liver. Furthermore, VA -medium dose (VAMD) was the optimum one for reversing PD-associated liver fibrosis, generating multiple astrocytes/fibroblasts reprogramming TFs, regenerating dopaminergic neurons, and improving PD.