Effect of spermidine on long non‐coding RNAs MALAT1 in a rotenone induced‐rat model of Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND: Spermidine is a natural biologically active substance that has widespread influences on the body. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to enhance our understanding of the potential effect of spermidine on long non-coding RNA MALAT1 and explore the underlying mechanism in the rotenone-induced rat model of Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Rats were sacrificed after locomotor behavioral testing. Striatal tissues were used to assess the expression of MALAT1, oxidative stress markers, and autophagy(definition) markers. RESULTS: Our study found that treatment with spermidine for 2 weeks during the induction of the model significantly improved behavioral assessment, dopamine levels, and attenuated the histopathological changes that occurred in PD in comparison to the non-treated group. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary study supports the protective effect of spermidine on the activation of autophagy and its antioxidant properties. Part of the antioxidant activity is due to the inhibition of MALAT1. However, MALAT1 does not correlate with the spermidine-induced autophagy pathway.