Figure 2.

Tf supplementation simulates iron release from iron-replete cells and protects against MPTP in cells and mice. (a) Iron release from ⁵⁹Fe-loaded M17 cells was measured by γ-counter. (b) M17 cells were treated with MPP+ in the absence and presence of apo-Tf for 24 h. Cell viability assessed using the MTT assay. (c, d) MPTP (50 mg kg⁻¹) was administered to mice. A subgroup of mice was subsequently administered TF (30 mg kg⁻¹; intraperitoneal) every third day for 21 days and compared with controls (N=9 each). (c) Mice performed the pole test 20 days after MPTP lesion. (d) Iron (AAS) content in nigra of MPTP and Tf-treated mice expressed as fold elevation of controls. Data are means±s.e.m. *P<0.05, **P<0.01.