STUDY ON MPTP-INDUCED PARKINSONIAN ANIMAL MODEL IN RHESUS MONKEY AND THE MECHANISM OF MPTP

L-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) was used to produce thesus monkey parkin-sonian animal models. We also studied the mechanism of action of MPTP by testing with monoaminc oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor, L-deprenyl, and a neuropeptide, L-prolyl-L-leucyl-glycinamide (PLG), against MPTP neurotoxicity. The experimental results indicate that MPTP can produce a useful rhesus monkey parkinsonian animal model. Pretreatment with L-deprenyl can effectively prevent MPTP neurotoxicity, and the mechanism of action of L-deprenyl against MPTP seem to be blocking of MPTP conversion to 1 methyl-4-phenyl-pyridinium (MPP) by inhibiting MAO-B activity. Whether PLG can prevent or alleviate MPTP neurotoxicity remains to be studied.