Experimental design
6-OHDA-lesioned rats were randomized to one of the following treatment groups: 6OHDA (n=6), 6OHDA+DOXY (n=6),6OHDA+Vehicle+L-DOPA (n=7), and 6OHDA+DOXY+L-DOPA (n=7). ANo lesion group (n=6), receiving saline in the MFB, was analyzed as a control group. The rats were submitted to analysis of the AIMs as an index of LID. Animals were sacrificed one hour after the last L-DOPA treatment to obtain the striatum for immunohistochemistry/imunoblotting assessment. Rats treated with doxycycline or its vehicle received the drug 30 min before the last L-DOPA dose. Independent groups of rats submitted to the same treatments and euthanasia were conducted to obtain the striatum for Western blotting methodology.