Parkinson's Disease

PD is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. the two main pathological features of PD are the progressive loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the formation of Lewy bodies and Lewy axons. Misfolded and aggregated α-synuclein is the main protein component of Lewy pathology. The association between iron deposition-induced ferroptosis, glial cell activation, and neurodegeneration may be a potential basis for the pathogenesis of PD.

Ferroptosis: an Important Pathway of Neuronal Degeneration in PD

The development of PD is closely related to iron metabolism and homeostasis in brain tissue. Iron death is a recently identified iron-dependent cell death pathway triggered by the accumulation of lipid peroxides. iron and dopamine levels are elevated in the SNpc of PD patients. Notably, GSH depletion, lipid peroxidation and elevated ROS levels, which are common in PD patients, are also characteristic of iron death.

Ferroptosis-related Genes in PD

Iron as Therapeutic Targets for PD

Treatment options for Parkinson's disease (PD) typically focus on dopamine replacement and symptom relief. Current treatments cause adverse effects and there remains a substantial unmet clinical need for treatments that provide disease modification and address levodopa-resistant symptoms. Brain iron homeostasis is increasingly being considered as a potential target for the development of drug therapies for aging-related diseases.

• Iron Chelator
  Parkinson's disease brain is characterized by high iron, low reduced glutathione and high peroxidized lipids, which are closely associated with iron death. Iron chelator binds to iron ions in the body to form macromolecular complexes, which can effectively improve iron excretion and reduce the level of iron in the body and its pathological deposition in various organs. Iron chelating agents currently in clinical use include desferrioxamine, deferiprone and deferasirox.
• Iron-targeted Therapy for PD
  Iron deposition and the consequent ferroptosis may be an important mechanism of dopaminergic neuronal death in PD, as well as a potential target for intervention and treatment of PD. In fact, ferroptosis inhibitors have shown good ability to alleviate PD symptoms in many preclinical studies and clinical trials, and have potential and research value as clinical therapeutic agents for PD.

Cerebral iron dysregulation in Parkinson's disease (PD) ^[1].

Although the exact pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease is unknown, disorders of iron metabolism have been suggested as a potential causative factor. Protheragen provide research services on the physiological mechanisms related to iron metabolism and Parkinson's disease to help our clients conduct in-depth research on the etiological significance of Parkinson's disease and provide new therapeutic ideas for the prevention and treatment of Parkinson's disease. If you are interested in the services we offer, please contact us for more information.