Abstract
Ceria nanoparticles with controlled size have been studied as antioxidant agents for the in vitro protection of catecholaminergic cells (PC12) exposed to manganese, which is responsible for an occupational form of Parkinson-like disease. The nanoparticle internalization has been followed by Raman and confocal microscopy while the effect of nanoceria concentration in the cell metabolism has been assessed by MTT and trypan blue assay. With the perspective to develop an innovative combined treatment, nanoceria has been tested either alone or in association with L-DOPA showing a significant effect in reducing the oxidative stress due to manganese chloride. Finally, to study the protective role of nanoceria on the metabolism of catecholamines, the intracellular concentration of dopamine and its metabolites have been monitored by liquid chromatography with electro-chemical detection in control and nanoparticle-exposed cells as a function of the nanoceria dosing. The results show a protective role of nanoceria both on PC12 cells survival and dopamine metabolism, which makes this class of nanoparticles a potential candidate for the treatment of Parkinson-like diseases induced by chronic manganese intoxication.