by Leung, Chi Ting Gideon. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 72-86). / Acknowledgement / List of Abbreviations / Abstract --- p.i / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Parkinson's disease --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Epidemiology --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Symptoms --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Pathology --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Etiology --- p.4 / Chapter 1.2 1 --- "-Methyl-4-Phenyl-1,2,3,6-Tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)" --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- History --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- MPTP induced Parkinson's disease --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.2.1 --- The metabolism of MPTP --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.2.2 --- MPTP neurotoxicity --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.2.3 --- MPTP analogs --- p.11 / Chapter 1.3 --- Factors involved in the degenerative process of Parkinson's disease --- p.12 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Mitochondrial defect --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Oxidative stress --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.2.1 --- Free Radicals --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.2.2 --- Superoxide radicals --- p.14 / Chapter 1.3.2.3 --- Hydrogen peroxide --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.2.4 --- Hydroxyl radicals --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Lipid peroxidation --- p.18 / Chapter 1.4 --- Antioxidants --- p.22 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- Introduction --- p.22 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- Glutathione and related enzymes --- p.25 / Chapter 1.4.2.1 --- Glutathione --- p.25 / Chapter 1.4.2.2 --- Glutathione peroxidase --- p.29 / Chapter 1.4.2.3 --- Glutathione reductase --- p.30 / Chapter 1.5 --- Astrocytes --- p.31 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Introduction --- p.31 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Role of astrocytes in PD --- p.34 / Chapter 1.6 --- Aim of the project --- p.35 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials And Methods / Chapter 2.1 --- Astrocyte cultures --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2 --- MPTP treatment --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3 --- Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4 --- DTNB-GSSG reductase recycling assay for total GSH --- p.43 / Chapter 2.5 --- DTNB-GSSG reductase recycling assay for GSSG --- p.44 / Chapter 2.6 --- Glutathione peroxidase --- p.45 / Chapter 2.7 --- Glutathione reductase --- p.48 / Chapter 2.8 --- Statistics --- p.49 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results / Chapter 3.1 --- Change in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities after MPTP treatment --- p.50 / Chapter 3.2 --- Change in total glutathione (GSH+GSSG) levels in astrocytes after different concentrations of MPTP treatment --- p.51 / Chapter 3.3 --- Change in glutathione and related enzyme activities in astrocytes after MPTP treatment --- p.51 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Change in total glutathione (GSH+GSSG) levels --- p.51 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Change in oxidized glutathione (GSSG) level in astrocytes after MPTP treatment --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Change in oxidized glutathione and total glutathione ratioin astrocytes after MPTP treatment --- p.56 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Change in glutathione peroxidase activity after MPTP treatment --- p.57 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Change in glutathione reductase activity after MPTP treatment --- p.59 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion And Conclusion --- p.61 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- References --- p.72