Increased fatty acid synthesis and disturbed lipid metabolism in Neuro2a cells after repeated cocaine exposure: A preliminary study

Abstract

Chronic use of cocaine prompts neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Lipids play pivotal roles in neuronal function and pathology. Although evidence correlates cocaine use with the alteration of lipid metabolism in blood and brain, the precise mechanism remains to be elucidated. In this study, we explore the effect of cocaine on neuronal fatty acid profiles in vitro. Neuro2a cells following seven days of repeated exposure to cocaine (0, 600, 800, 1000 μM) showed apoptosis-irrelevant cell death, dysregulated autophagy, activation of atypical endoplasmic reticulum stress response, increased saturated and unsaturated fatty acid synthesis, and disrupted lipid metabolism. These preliminary findings indicated the association between lipid metabolism and cocaine-induced neurotoxicity, which should be beneficial for understanding the neurotoxicity of cocaine.