Abstract
Neuropeptides were examined for their effects on the survival of cultured rat superior cervical ganglion cells after acute deprivation of nerve growth factor (NGF). Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, 3 μM) delayed the neuronal death about 6 h alone. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (0.2 mM) greatly potentiated its effect, reducing EC 50 from 2.5 μM to 8 nM. The neuronal death was completely suppressed under this condition. On the other hand, substance P (1–100 μM) or enkephalin (1–100 μM) alone did not modify the death, whereas the latter (100 μM) enhanced the survival-promoting effect of membrane depolarization with elevated K +. These results suggest strongly that neuropeptides regulate the NGF-independent survival of sympathetic neurons through a cAMP-dependent mechanism.
Published Version
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