L-DOPA-induced neurotoxic and apoptotic changes on cultured chromaffin cells

Adrenal chromaffin cell (ACC) transplantation has been considered as one of the therapeutic strategies for Parkinson disease (PD). This strategy involves the administration of L-DOPA, although in reduced doses, to ACC-transplanted patients. Using cytochemical and morphological methods, we examined the effects of clinically applicable concentrations of L-DOPA on cultured chromaffin cells. We found an increase of cell death in both necrotic and apoptotic patterns. These data suggest that therapeutic preventive measures during ACC transplantation processes for PD should be taken.