Effect of Tianqi antitremor granules on behavioral manifestations and expression of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 6 and β-arrestin1 in levodopa-induced dyskinesia in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Background

Recent studies have shown that expression of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 6 (GRK6) and β-arrestin1 in the striatum is closely associated with hyperactive dopamine receptors in rats with levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID). Our research group has shown that Tianqi antitremor granules have a significant effect on the motor complications of Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, whether Tianqi antitremor granules have an effect on the behavioral manifestations and expression of GRK6 and β-arrestin1 in rats with LID is unknown.

Methods

Rats with PD received twice daily intraperitoneal injections of levodopa for 4 weeks to induce dyskinesia. Rats with LID were randomly divided into five groups: an LID-control group, an LID group, a levodopa plus Tianqi antitremor granules as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)-low group, a levodopa plus TCM-medium group, and levodopa plus TCM-high group. Peak intensity of rotations was measured. GRK6 and β-arrestin1 expression in the striatum of the dyskinetic rats was observed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.

Results

Pulsatile treatment with levodopa induced abnormal involuntary movements in rats with PD similar to LID in patients with PD. We found that repeated levodopa administration increased peak rotations in dyskinetic rats. However, peak rotations were decreased in rats given levodopa plus the different doses of Tianqi antitremor granules. In accordance with changed behavior, GRK6 and β-arrestin1 expression was decreased in rats with PD and was persistently low in rats with LID, but this decrease was prevented by coadministration of levodopa and Tianqi antitremor granules.

Conclusion

Tianqi antitremor granules ameliorated levodopa-induced dyskinetic behavior, reversed the decrease in GRK6 and β-arrestin1 expression, and acted as a useful adjunctive medicine for the treatment of LID.

Keywords:

• Parkinson’s disease
• dyskinesia
• traditional Chinese medicine
• herbal granules
• G protein-coupled receptor kinase 6
• β-arrestin1

Introduction

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the common neurodegenerative disorders, and is characterized by resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural abnormality.¹ The disease is caused by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and consequent depletion of dopamine content in the striatum.² Due to the depletion of dopamine, dopamine receptors (mainly D1 and D2) in the striatal neurons become hyperactive.³ Recent evidence suggests that G protein-coupled receptor kinase 6 (GRK6) and β-arrestin1 expression in the striatum is closely associated with the hyperactive dopamine receptors seen in rats with levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID).⁴ We have recently reported that GRK6 and β-arrestin1 expression is altered in rats with PD and LID, and that these may be effective targets for treatment of dyskinesia.⁵

For many years, levodopa has been considered to be the most efficacious drug for the treatment of PD in clinical practice.⁶ However, long-term administration of levodopa induces motor complications, particularly LID and motor fluctuations.⁷ Therefore, prevention and treatment of PD in combination with other drugs, such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is urgent. Over centuries, our ancestors have accumulated a large body of experience in the treatment of PD using TCM.⁸ It was assumed that PD was caused by a deficiency of Qi, Yin, Yang, liver, and kidney, and an excess of wind, fire, phlegm, and ecchymosis.⁹ Thus, the treatment principles for PD were summarized as including replenishment of Qi and blood, nourishing Yin, suppressing excessive Yang, calming the liver to prevent wind, and cleaning and activating the channels and collaterals.¹⁰ Since 2009, our research group has treated the motor complications of PD using Tianqi antitremor granules, mentioned in “Mi Fang Ding Zhen Wan” and recorded in the diagnosis and treatment principles of Kentang Wang, with significant effect.¹¹

The present study investigated the effect of Tianqi antitremor granules on the behavior of dyskinetic rats. The effect of these granules on GRK6 and β-arrestin1 expression was also investigated to determine their efficacy and mechanisms of action.

Materials and methods

Animals

Ninety adult female Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 180–220 g) were used in this study. The rats were housed in the Institute of Experimental Animal Science, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, at a constant temperature of 23°C, and had free access to food and water. All animal procedures were approved by the institutional review board of Xinhua Hospital and were performed according to the US National Institutes of Health Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

Materials

Apomorphine, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), levodopa methyl ester, benserazide, and ascorbic acid were obtained from Sigma Chemical Co (St Louis, MO, USA). Rabbit polyclonal antibodies against GRK6 and β-arrestin1 were purchased from Abcam Inc (Cambridge, UK). Mouse anti-β-actin antibody, horseradish peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit and anti-mouse immunoglobulin (Ig)G secondary antibodies were obtained from Beyotime Institute of Biotechnology (Shanghai, People’s Republic of China). Methanol was supplied by Jiangsu Yonghua Fine Chemical Products Co, Ltd (Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China). Water was obtained from a Milli-Q purification system (Millipore, Molsheim, France).

TCM composition

The herbal granules used in this study were sourced from Jiangyin Tianjiang Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd (Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China). The formula is from “Mi Fang Ding Zhen Wan”, recorded in the diagnosis and treatment principles written by Kentang Wang, a TCM doctor from the Ming Dynasty.¹¹ Three groups of TCM are needed, ie, a TCM-medium group (including Tian ma 15 g, Huang qi 15 g, Shou di huang 15 g, Bai shao yao 20 g), a TCM-low group (each dose being 20% lower than in the medium-dose group), and a TCM-high group (each dose being 20% more than in the medium-dose group).

6-OHDA lesions and testing

Each rat head was mounted onto a stereotaxic apparatus (Narishige, Tokyo, Japan). Next, 6-OHDA (8 μg/4 μL) was injected into the right medial forebrain bundle. The coordinates were calculated according to the rat brain atlas, ie, bregma 4.5 mm, lateral 0.9 mm, and dura 7.5 mm.¹² Three weeks after surgery, the 6-OHDA-lesioned rats were injected intraperitoneally with apomorphine 0.25 mg/kg. The number of rotations was counted visually for each rat. Rats showing at least seven full turns per minute away from the lesioned side were deemed to be successfully lesioned and were selected for further study.

Treatment protocol

All rats with confirmed PD were treated with levodopa to induce LID. All dyskinetic rats with abnormal involuntary movement (AIM) scores >8 were divided into five groups: an LID-control group (n = 6), an LID group (n = 6), a levodopa plus TCM-low group (n = 6), a levodopa plus TCM-medium group (n = 6), and a levodopa plus TCM-high group (n = 6). Dyskinetic rats in the LID-control group were cotreated with vehicle (twice daily, by intraperitoneal injection) for 29 days. The LID group was treated with levodopa methylester (25 mg/kg with 6.25 mg/kg benserazide by intraperitoneal injection twice daily for 29 days), while the rest of the rats were cotreated with levodopa/benserazide and different doses of Tianqi antitremor granules, serving as the levodopa plus TCM-low, levodopa plus TCM-medium, and levodopa plus TCM-high groups. In addition, rats in the PD group (n = 6) and sham group (n = 6, given sham 6-OHDA injections without expressing PD symptoms) were treated with subcutaneous vehicle daily for 4 weeks.

Measurement of behavior

Rats were monitored for AIMs using a procedure similar to a method described previously.¹³ Briefly, on test days, each rat was placed in a plastic tray 5 minutes before drug treatment. After injection, the rat was assessed for orolingual, limb, axial, and locomotor movements. At 20-minute intervals, AIMs were rated for 60 seconds over a period of 3 hours, during which a severity score between 0 and 4 was assigned to each AIM category. Finally, the four types of AIM scores were summed at each time point. The peak intensity of rotation was measured as the peak number of contralateral turns in any 5-minute interval.

Immunohistochemistry

Rats were sacrificed by deep anesthesia using 3% pentobarbital, and their ascending aortas were perfused with cold phosphate-buffered saline followed by 4% paraformaldehyde. The brains were rapidly extracted, immersed in 4% paraformaldehyde overnight, and dehydrated by graded alcohol. The brains were then embedded in paraffin, cut into coronal sections 5 μm thick, and subjected to immunohistochemistry assays using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique with diaminobenzidine as a substrate. The sections were incubated with an affinity-purified polyclonal antibody against GRK6 and β-arrestin1 overnight at 4°C. We computed the integrated optical density for quantitative analysis of the intensity of GRK6 and β-arrestin1 immunostaining. Images from six random nonoverlapping areas in each section were captured using a BH-2 microscope (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) fitted with a MicroImage video camera at ×400 magnification to gain a mean value for each section. Digitally fixed images were analyzed using an Image Pro Plus analyzer (Media Cybernetics Inc, Rockville, MD, USA).

Western blotting

Striatal tissues were lysed in lysis buffer containing phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride. The supernatant was collected after centrifugation at 12,000 g for 10 minutes at 4°C. After measurement of protein concentration using a bicinchoninic acid assay kit (Pierce, Rockford, IL, USA), samples containing 40 μg protein were loaded onto 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel. The proteins were transferred onto a 0.2 mm polyvinylidene difluoride membrane (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA). The membranes were then blocked in 5% instant nonfat dried milk for 2 hours at room temperature and incubated with primary antibodies corresponding to GRK6 (1:500), β-arrestin1 (1:500), or β-actin (1:1000) at 4°C overnight. On the second day, the membranes were washed and incubated with a horseradish peroxidaseconjugated secondary antibody (1:1000) for 2 hours at room temperature. Immunoblot signals were visualized in the chemiluminescent solution with a gel imager (Millipore, Billerica, MA, USA).

Statistical analysis

Data are expressed as the mean ± standard error of the mean. Analysis of variance followed by least significant difference post hoc comparison tests were used to analyze the experimental data among the different groups. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

Motor response alterations

As shown in Figure 1, dyskinetic rats treated with levodopa for 29 days expressed LID, as evidenced by increased peak rotations. In contrast, peak rotations were decreased in dyskinetic rats given levodopa plus the different doses of Tianqi antitremor granules. Peak rotations on days 22 and 29 were lower in the TCM-low group than in the LID group (treated with levodopa only). There was no difference in peak rotations between the TCM-low group and the TCM-medium group. Similarly, peak rotations were not different between the TCM-high and TCM-medium groups, while rats in the TCM-high group showed lower peak rotations than the TCM-low group on days 15, 22, and 29.

Figure 1 Effect of Tianqi antitremor granules on peak rotations in dyskinetic rats.

Notes: Increased peak rotations were found in dyskinetic rats after repeated levodopa administration. In contrast, levodopa plus Tianqi antitremor granules lowered peak rotations in dyskinetic rats. Data are expressed as the mean ± standard error of the mean. *P < 0.05 versus levodopa group; ^#P < 0.05 versus levodopa plus TCM-low group.
Abbreviation: TCM, traditional Chinese medicine.

Effect of Tianqi antitremor granules on GRK6 levels in dyskinetic rats

As shown in Figure 2, rats with PD showed a significant decrease in GRK6 expression in the lesioned striatum relative to the nonlesioned striatum (81.42% ± 5.94% of the value on the nonlesioned side). Lower GRK6 expression persisted in the LID-control rats treated chronically with levodopa plus vehicle (73.66% ± 3.43% of the nonlesioned side), which is accordance with our previous work. Further, GRK6 expression in the LID rats continued to decrease following treatment with levodopa for 29 days (56.32% ± 4.45% of the nonlesioned side). Interestingly, coadministration of levodopa plus TCM had a different effect on GRK6 expression. It was found that GRK6 expression in the lesioned striatum for TCM-low (79.12% ± 3.15% of the nonlesioned side) was not different from that in the LID group. In contrast, TCM-medium (83.98% ± 4.50% of the nonlesioned side) and TCM-high (80.56% ± 4.74% of the nonlesioned side) prevented the decrease in GRK6 expression in dyskinetic rats. There was no difference in this regard between the TCM-medium group and the TCM-high group. Further, immunohistochemistry confirmed the results obtained on Western blotting (Figure 3).

Figure 2 Western blotting results confirming the effect of administration of Tianqi antitremor granules on GRK6 expression in dyskinetic rats.

Notes: Proteins were analyzed from the sham group (1), PD-control group (2), LID-control group (3), LID group (4), levodopa plus TCM-low group (5), levodopa plus TCM-medium group (6), and levodopa plus TCM-high group (7). U, unlesioned striatum; L, lesioned striatum. *P < 0.05 versus sham group; ^#P < 0.05 versus PD group; ^▲P < 0.05 versus LID-control group; ⁺P < 0.05 versus LID group.
Abbreviations: GRK6, G protein-coupled receptor kinase 6; PD, Parkinson’s disease; LID, levodopa-induced dyskinesia; TCM, traditional Chinese medicine.

Figure 3 Effect of Tianqi antitremor granules on levels of GRK6 in dyskinetic rats.

Notes: The striatal sections were analyzed by immunohistochemistry with antibodies specific for GRK6 from rats in sham group (1), LID-control group (2), LID group (3), levodopa plus TCM-low group (4), levodopa plus TCM-medium group (5), levodopa plus TCM-high group (6). U, unlesioned striatum; L, lesioned striatum. *P < 0.05 versus sham group; ^#P < 0.05 versus LID group.
Abbreviations: GRK6, G protein-coupled receptor kinase 6; LID, levodopa-induced dyskinesia; TCM, traditional Chinese medicine.

Effect of Tianqi antitremor granules on β-arrestin1 levels in dyskinetic rats

In addition to measuring GRK6 expression, we also examined striatal β-arrestin1 levels in all groups of animals. We have previously reported that β-arrestin1 levels are decreased in rats with PD and that this decrease persists in rats with LID. As shown in Figure 4, β-arrestin1 levels in rats with PD were significantly reduced (76.66% ± 5.12% of the nonlesioned side), and decreased further in LID-control rats (65.44% ± 6.68% of the nonlesioned side). Further, LID rats receiving intermittent levodopa had lower expression of β-arrestin1 (48.7% ± 4.08% of the nonlesioned side) than LID rats injected with saline. In agreement with the behavioral analysis, β-arrestin1 expression increased progressively on treatment with levodopa plus Tianqi antitremor granules for 29 days, while lowering peak rotations. We found that the degree of TCM-low (51.62% ± 3.26% of the nonlesioned side), TCM-medium (53.74% ± 2.81% of the nonlesioned side), and TCM-high (56.54% ± 3.52% of the nonlesioned side) were slight, with the TCM-high group showing the greatest increase. These results are in accordance with findings on immunohistochemistry (Figure 5).

Figure 4 Western blotting results confirmed the effect of administration of Tianqi antitremor granules on β-arrestin1 expression in dyskinetic rats.

Notes: Proteins were analyzed from the sham group (1), PD-control group (2), LID-control group (3), LID group (4), levodopa plus TCM-low group (5), levodopa plus TCM-medium group (6), and levodopa plus TCM-high group (7). U, unlesioned striatum; L, lesioned striatum. *P < 0.05 versus sham group; ^#P < 0.05 versus PD group; ^▲P < 0.05 versus LID-control group.
Abbreviations: PD, Parkinson’s disease; LID, levodopa-induced dyskinesia; TCM, traditional Chinese medicine.

Figure 5 Effect of Tianqi antitremor granules on levels of β-arrestin1 in dyskinetic rats.

Notes: Striatal sections were analyzed by immunohistochemistry with antibodies specific for β-arrestin1 from rats in the sham group (1), LID-control group (2), LID group (3), levodopa plus TCM-low group (4), levodopa plus TCM-medium group (5), and levodopa plus TCM-high group (6). U, unlesioned striatum; L, lesioned striatum. *P < 0.05 versus sham group; ^#P < 0.05 versus LID group.
Abbreviations: LID, levodopa-induced dyskinesia; TCM, traditional Chinese medicine.

Discussion

PD is a common neurodegenerative disorder that affects the basal ganglia.¹⁴ So far, treatment with levodopa (using the dopamine precursor levodopa) to enhance synaptic transmission remains the gold standard for PD.¹⁵ However, long-term treatment with levodopa has side effects.¹⁶ Hence, many researchers have started to combine western medicine with TCM to treat PD and LID.¹⁷ In this study, we used levodopa plus Tianqi antitremor granules comprised of Tian Huang qi, Shou di huang, and Bai shao ya. Tian ma Huang qi act as the sovereign drug, while Shou di huang, Bai shao yao, and Dang gui act as the minister drug. The herbal formula is designed to replenish Qi and blood, wind, and expectorate stagnant phlegm.

Rats rendered hemiparkinsonian by 6-OHDA and treated twice daily with levodopa develop AIMs similar dyskinesia in PD patients.¹⁸ In this study, we found that rats treated repeatedly with levodopa showed an increase in peak rotations, but that coadministration of Tianqi antitremor granules attenuated AIMs and reduced peak rotations. Rats in the TCM-low group showed a marked decrease in peak rotations on day 22. Medium-dose and high-dose TCM reduced peak rotations earlier than low-dose TCM on day 15 day 2, respectively. These data indicate that Tianqi antitremor granules could ameliorate levodopa-induced dyskinetic behavior, and the greater the dose, the better the effect.

G protein-coupled receptor kinases and arrestins two major protein families that primarily regulate receptor desensitization of G protein-coupled receptors.¹⁹ G protein-coupled receptor kinases phosphorylate the agonist receptor, and arrestins then bind to the phosphorylated receptor, thereby desensitizing the receptor.²⁰ In this way, cell signaling is inhibited.²¹ As we know, dopamine receptors, which belong to the G protein-coupled receptor family, become hypersensitive after progressive depletion of dopamine neurons in PD.²² Studies have shown that GRK6 and β-arrestin1 play a crucial role in the sensitivity of dopamine related to the occurrence of PD and LID.²³ We found the quantity of GRK6 and β-arrestin1 in the striatum rats with PD decreased and continued to decrease in rats striatum.⁵ These results are in accordance with what we have previously reported. After coadministration of Tianqi antitremor granules and levodopa, we observed an increasing abundance of GRK6 and β-arrestin1 in the striatal fractions. Immunohistochemistry showed that GRK6 expression levels were increased in the three groups treated with Tianqi antitremor granules. Meanwhile, we also detected a marked increase in GRK6 expression in the TCM-medium TCM-high groups by Western blotting. Although immunohistochemistry showed increased β-arrestin1 expression in the three groups, only the increase in the TCM-high group was statistically significant. Further, the results of Western blotting showed that β-arrestin1 expression was reduced in rats treated with levodopa or levodopa plus TCM, while rats treated with levodopa plus TCM showed less reduction in β-arrestin1 expression than rats treated with levodopa alone, and the TCM-high group showed the best effect. In summary, medium-dose and high-dose TCM can increase GRK6 expression in dyskinetic rats, and β-arrestin1 expression is only sensitive to high-dose TCM. These observations are consistent with the fact that Tianqi antitremor granules modulate the susceptibility of the dopamine receptor by adjusting expression of GRK6 and β-arrestin1 in the striatum.

In conclusion, to the authors’ knowledge, this study provides the first evidence that Tianqi antitremor granules ameliorate LID in rats with PD, reverse the decrease in GRK6 and β-arrestin1, and are a useful adjunctive treatment for LID.

Acknowledgments

The study was supported by grants from the Projects of National Science Foundation of China (81071025, 81171203, 81171204, 81200871) and Projects of the Shanghai Committee of Science and Technology (11nm0503300, 11410708900, 12XD1403800).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.