Comparative studies on the mechanisms of paraquat and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+) cytotoxicity.

1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+) is the putative toxic metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and is structurally similar to the herbicide paraquat (PQ++). We have therefore compared the effects of MPP+ and PQ++ on a well characterized experimental model, namely isolated rat hepatocytes. PQ++ generates reactive oxygen species within cells by redox cycling and its toxicity to hepatocytes was potentiated by pretreatment with 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU), an inhibitor of glutathione reductase. In BCNU-treated cells, PQ++ caused GSH depletion, lipid peroxidation and cell death. These cytotoxic effects were prevented by the antioxidant N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD) and the iron-chelating agent desferrioxamine. MPP+ also caused GSH depletion in BCNU-treated hepatocytes but its cytotoxicity was not markedly affected by BCNU, nor was it accompanied by significant lipid peroxidation. DPPD and desferrioxamine also failed to prevent MPP+-induced cell death. We conclude that the production of active oxygen species is likely to play a major role in PQ++ cytotoxicity, while MPP+-induced cell damage may involve additional, more important toxic mechanisms.