[Daphnia magna (straus): a new test object for modeling of dopaminergic neurotransmission deficiency induced by the selective neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine].

The possibility of using Daphnia magna (Straus) hydrobionts as a test object in modeling the disturbances of dopaminergic neurotransmission was investigated. The toxic action of a selective dopaminergic neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), on D. magna was determined in a broad interval of concentrations (from 2 x 10(-5) to 10(-2) M). Plots of the real time of daphnia death versus MPTP concentration are presented and the concentration limits of its specific activity are evaluated. Experiments on daphnia under the conditions of MPTP intoxication were used to study the modulating effects of drugs producing a pharmacological correction of dopamine secretion disturbances in mammals. It is shown that the exogenous dopamine, muscarinic cholinoblocker pentifine, and antioxidant unithiol exhibit a protective action. Reduced glutathione does not possess protective properties. It is suggested to use D. magna as a simple and informative test object for the modeling of dopaminergic transmission deficiency and for the primary screening of various substances intended for the pharmacological correction of dopamine transmission disturbances.