The Effects of Red Grape Juice and Exercise on Parkinson's Disease in Male Rats

Neural degeneration is induced by production of oxidant agents in neural pools. Red grape juice has antioxidant agents. Exercise can be able to protect dopaminergic neurons of brain. Therefore, it seems that red grape juice and exercise can prevent neural impairment in neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, neuroprotective effects of red grape juice and exercise on Parkinson's disease in male rats were compared. In order to create Parkinson's in rats, they were received unilateral infusion of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into substantia nigra pars compacta by a stereotaxic apparatus. Two weeks after surgery, the rats were treated with red grape juice and exercise for 1 month. In order to estimate the extent of lesion, they received intraperitoneal apomorphine. The number of rotations until 1 hour after injection was calculated as the main parameter for evaluation of Parkinson's disease. Our results showed that red grape juice decreased the signs of Parkinson's disease compared to other groups. In addition, groups with Parkinson's disease which did not receive red grape juice presented the highest numbers of rotations. The results also indicated that injection of 6-OHDA induced Parkinson's disease whose signs occurred as rotations resulted by the administration of dopamine agonist agents. These effects were reduced using red grape juice. Exercise also reduced rotations in treated groups with Parkinson's disease. Moreover, red grape juice reduced rotations in Parkinson's disease rats significantly more than exercise. The main place of release of dopamine in the brain is substantia nigra nucleus. This nucleus has an important role in controlling and coordination of voluntary activities of skeletal muscles. Injection of 6-OHDA into this area decreased the release of dopamine and finally induced Parkinson's disease. Using red grape juice probably treats this disease via compensation of dopamine concentration in other areas of central nervous system. In addition, exercise probably treated Parkinson's disease by increasing levels of dopamine in the brain. However, since exercise produces stress in the body, it was less successful in treating the disease compared to red grape juice.