The Journal of Practical Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (22): 3501-3509.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2025.22.006

• Basic Research • Previous Articles    

The comparison of ferroptosis characteristics and motor deficits in Parkinson′s disease mouse models

Haiyan LI1,2,Mengzhu LI1,2,Mengxuan CHEN1,2,Da GAO3,Kexin DUAN1,2,Lijun ZHAO3,Meiling ZHU1,2()   

  1. *.The Fourth Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine,Shenzhen 518033,Guangdong,China
    *.Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine,Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital,Shenzhen 518033,Guangdong,China
  • Received:2025-07-04 Online:2025-11-25 Published:2025-11-26
  • Contact: Meiling ZHU E-mail:meilingzhu2020@126.com

Abstract:

Objective To compare ferroptosis characteristics and motor dysfunction across different mouse models of Parkinson′s disease (PD). Methods Animal models of PD were divided into five groups: the control group, sham-operated group, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) group, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) group, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group. Differences in ferroptosis-related features and motor dysfunction across these groups were evaluated through behavioral observation, histopathological examination, protein analysis, and assessment of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress levels. Results In all three model groups, the number of TH-positive neurons in the substantia nigra on the lesioned side was significantly reduced, accompanied by evident neuronal degeneration and a marked decrease in Nissl bodies. Behavioral assessments revealed that the 6-OHDA group displayed the most severe motor deficits. In the substantia nigra, FTH1 protein expression was significantly downregulated in the 6-OHDA, LPS, and MPTP groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, P < 0.01), respectively, while GPX4 expression was also reduced (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.01). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly elevated in both the 6-OHDA and MPTP groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). Glutathione (GSH) assays demonstrated markedly reduced levels in the 6-OHDA, MPTP, and LPS groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection revealed a significant increase in the MPTP and LPS groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). Conclusion The 6-OHDA model is well suited for studying PD-related behaviors and the underlying mechanisms of motor symptoms, the MPTP model is particularly effective for investigating the ferroptosis pathway, and the LPS model serves as a valuable complement for research on neuroinflammation mechanisms.

Key words: Parkinson′s disease, ferroptosis, 6-OHDA, MPTP, LPS, animal model

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