Abstract:

 Objective     To measure the level of the neuron specific enolase (NSE ) in the serum, and determine whether levodopa therapy has a toxic effect on nerve cells in patients with Parkinson′s disease ( PD ). Methods      According to the modified Webster scale, 117 patients with PD were divided into the slight symptom group(S) and the moderate symptom group(M). Group S was randomly subdivided into four groups: groups SISIII had madopar administered in different doses, and the control group SIV had a placebo administered. Group M was randomly subdivided into six treatment groups: the first three groups ( groups MI-MIII) had madopar administered in different doses,  after which dopamine was used, the other three groups(groups MIV-MVI) had three protectants: selegiline, bromocriptine and piribedil administered. The fasting serum NSE was determined 3 days after drug withdrawal(SI-IV, MI-MIII), after madopar treatment(SI-III, MI-MIII), after placebo administration(SIV)，  before and after protectant administration(MIV-MVI), and then the data were compared and analyzed. Results    There was no statistical significance in the serum NSE level among slight symptom groups (P>0.05), while there was a statistical significance in moderate symptom groups when dopamine was increased to a high dose (P<0.05). Different protectants had no statistical significance in protecting nerve cells (P>0.05). Conclusion     The toxic effect of dopamine on nerve cells may probably be associated with its doses.

Key words: Parkinson disease; Phosphopyruvate hydratase; Levodopa