Abstract

The progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) due to the aggregation of Lewy bodies is the hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). ROS play a key role in the formation of Lewy bodies, thus leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and the apoptosis of neurons. A rotating magnetic field (RMF) is an emerging noninvasive technique for the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders. To investigate the potential therapeutic effects of RMS in PD, we subjected an experimental mouse model to RMF. CblC mice were injected with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) (30 mg/kg, i.p., once daily for 5 days), followed by RMF treatment at a frequency and intensity of 4 Hz and 0.4 T, respectively. The daily 2-h RMF treatment was continued for a period of 6 months. We examined the effects of RMF on motor functions, the aggregation of Lewy bodies and the integrity and viability of total and dopaminergic neurons in the SNpc and striatal regions. We further performed transcriptomic analysis of SNpc tissue from PD and SHAM mice. Our results showed that exposure to RMF improved motor functions, enhanced neuronal cell viability and protected neuronal integrity in a PD mouse model. We further showed that RMF diminishes the number of aggregated Lewy bodies in neurons and reduces ROS production. Overall, the results of the transcriptomic analysis revealed that RMF promoted the expression of anti-apoptotic genes rather than proapoptotic genes that are specifically involved in mitochondrial apoptosis.