Adenosine A1 and A2A receptors are involved on guanosine protective effects against oxidative burst and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by 6-OHDA in striatal slices

6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is the most used toxin in experimental Parkinson's disease (PD) models. 6-OHDA shows high affinity for the dopamine transporter and once inside the neuron, it accumulates and undergoes non-enzymatic auto-oxidation, promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and selective damage of catecholaminergic neurons. In this way, our group has established a 6-OHDA in vitro protocol with rat striatal slices as a rapid and effective model for screening of new drugs with protective effects against PD. We have shown that co-incubation with guanosine (GUO, 100 μM) prevented the 6-OHDA-induced damage in striatal slices. As the exact GUO mechanism of action remains unknown, the aim of this study was to investigate if adenosine A 1 (A 1 R) and/or A 2A receptors (A 2A R) are involved on GUO protective effects on striatal slices. Pre-incubation with DPCPX, an A 1 R antagonist prevented guanosine effects on 6-OHDA-induced ROS formation and mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, while CCPA, an A 1 R agonist, did not alter GUO effects. Regarding A 2A R, the antagonist SCH58261 had similar protective effect as GUO in ROS formation and mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, SCH58261 did not affect GUO protective effects. The A 2A R agonist CGS21680, although, completely blocked GUO effects. Finally, the A 1 R antagonist DPCPX, and the A 2A R agonist CGS21680 also abolished the preventive guanosine effect on 6-OHDA-induced ATP levels decrease. These results reinforce previous evidence for a putative interaction of GUO with A 1 R-A 2A R heteromer as its molecular target and clearly indicate a dependence on adenosine receptors modulation to GUO protective effect.