Evaluating Parkinson's disease biomarkers in substantia nigra following sublethal γ-radiation exposure in a large animal model.

ABSTRACT: Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (iPD) involves genetic and environmental factors, including ionizing radiation. While high-dose radiation induces neurodegeneration, the effects of low-dose radiation (LDR) remain unclear. This study examined the impact of a single acute total-body LDR exposure (1.79 Gy) on the substantia nigra (SN) of swine, a large mammal model closely resembling humans. Fourteen male Göttingen minipigs were assigned to radiation (RAD; n = 6) or sham (SH; n = 8) groups. We analyzed iPD-related markers (α-synuclein, phosphorylated α-syn, tyrosine hydroxylase), genetic PD markers (LRRK2, GBA, VPS13C, Cathepsin D), neuroinflammation (GFAP), and mitochondrial proteins (ATP5A, SDHB, NDUF8). No significant molecular, histological, or immunohistochemical differences were observed

SUBMITTER: Murphy EK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12494885 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature