Abstract
Activation of extrasynaptic NMDA receptors by high glutamate concentrations is one of the key pathogenic factors following a stroke. For this reason, the search for efficient neuroprotective agents that could reduce glutamate toxicity is a pressing need. Ca2+ overload in response to glutamate leads to activation of signaling cascades in the cell and the development of oxidative stress, which ultimately leads to apoptosis. Using a model system of acute excitotoxicity caused by 50 μM NMDA, which was used as a specific NMDA receptor activator, we demonstrated that during 2 hours of incubation the viability of the primary neuronal culture decreased by 30–50%. To demonstrate that the observed effect is associated not only with the Ca2+ influx into the cytoplasm through the activated NMDA receptors, we decreased the Ca2+ concentration in the medium. The lowered Ca2+ concentration, as well as its complete absence, did not affect NMDA toxicity. We tested carnosine, a naturally occurring dipeptide and promising antioxidant, as a neuroprotective agent. The addition of 2 mM carnosine prevented the decrease in cell viability caused by a 2-hour incubation with 50 μM NMDA, while it showed no effect on the viability of the cell culture in the control. Based on the results, we consider the further study of carnosine, its complexes, and analogues as neuroprotectors in cerebral ischemia promising.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.