Neda Nikokalam Nazif - Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, North-Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Maryam Khosravi - Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, North-Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Ramesh Ahmadi - Department of Physiology, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran.
Maryam Bananej - Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, North-Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Ahmad Majd - Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, North-Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Ghrelin is a peptide that plays an important role in protecting neurons in substantia nigra (SNPC). Inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factors alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin-10(IL-10), are relatively effective in the pathogenesis of Parkinson s disease. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophic factor, has effect on growth and survival of neurons. This study has aimed to investigate the effects of ghrelin and the protection of the dopaminergic neurons on the gene expression gene of TNF-a, IL-10, BDNF, catalepsy test, and tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry (TH).Methods: Male NMRI mice were randomly divided into five groups: Control, Saline, MPTP (25 mg /kg 4 days),MPTP+ghrelin0.0005cc and MPTP+ghrelin0.001cc.One day after the onset of the disease, treatment began by ghrelin for21days and mice were killed and their brains have been removed for gene expression ofTNF-a,IL-10,BDNFandTyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry (TH).Results: The results show that Parkinson s disease treatment by ghrelin reduces catalepsy in mice. The genes expression of IL-10, TNF-α, and BDNF in MPTP+ ghrelin 0.0005cc, MPTP +ghrelin 0.001cc groups has increased in comparison to the control group. In the histology of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)in MPTP +ghrelin0.0005cc ,MPTP+ ghrelin 0.001cc groups ,the number of dopaminergic neurons have increased ,in comparison to the control group.Conclusions: Ghrelin with neuroprotective effects can be a new therapeutic approach to prevent the loss of neurons in Parkinson s disease.

Ghrelin, Parkinson’s disease, TNF-a, IL-10, BDNF.