Increased dopamine levels damage neurons and other cells in the central nervous system, thus leading to accelerated progression of neuro¬degenerative diseases. The presumed mechanism of dopamine neuro¬toxicity is its enzymatic metabolism via monoamine oxidase B (MAO–B) to reactive metabolites with corresponding oxidative stress. The aim of our research was to examine the influence of dopamine on endothelial cells and astrocytes, as well as the potential protective effects of selected drug compounds to ameliorate dopamine toxicity. Human endothelial cells EA.hy926 and isolated astrocytes from the cortex of neonatal rats were prepared to study the effect of dopamine on their viability depending on its concentration, exposure time, and the presence of selected drugs. To study the role of dopamine metabolites, all cells were pre-incubated with inhibitors of MAO–B and catechol-O-methyl¬transferase (COMT). To assess the role of cellular dopamine uptake, we used inhibitors of serotonin transporter (SERT) and the noradrenaline transporter (NET). Agonist and antagonist were used to determine the role of action on dopamine receptors. We also measured intracellular oxidative stress and attempted to prevent it by using the antioxidant quercetin. To investigate the effects of dopamine and selected drugs on mitochondrial function, we used the Agilent’s Seahorse Cell Mito Stress Test kit to measure aerobic metabolism. We discovered dopamine-induced time- (3 – 48 hours) and concentration- (1nM – 1mM) dependent cytotoxicity in both cell lines. Inhibition of dopamine metabolism did not increase cell viability, nor did action on its receptors. Similarly, inhibition of dopamine uptake had no effect. However, reduction of oxidative stress by quercetin increased cell viability. We confirmed by measuring oxidative stress that dopamine increased cellular oxidative stress and that neither MAO–B nor COMT inhibitors improved this condition. However, quercetin decreased oxidative stress in both cell lines. Likewise, the Mito Stress Test assay showed altered mitochondrial function by dopamine, and no protection of mitochondria by selected drug compounds. Our results suggest that intracellular metabolites of dopamine via the MAO and COMT pathways are not responsible for the cellular and mitochondrial damage associated with increased oxidative stress, but rather substances formed by non-enzymatic autooxidation of dopamine.
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