Catalpol protects primary cultured astrocytes from in vitro ischemia-induced damage.

Abstract

Catalpol, an iridoid glycoside abundant in the roots of Rehmannia glutinosa, has been previously found to prevent the loss of CA1 hippocampal neurons and to reduce working errors in gerbils after ischemia-reperfusion injury. In the present study, we investigated the effects of catalpol on astrocytes in an ischemic model to further characterize its neuroprotective mechanisms. Primary cultured astrocytes exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) followed by reperfusion (adding back oxygen and glucose, OGD-R), were used as an in vitro ischemic model. Treatment of the astrocytes with catalpol during ischemia-reperfusion increased astrocyte survival significantly in a concentration-dependent manner, as demonstrated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and morphological observation. In addition, catalpol prevented the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibited the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the production of nitric oxide (NO), decreased the level of lipid peroxide and the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and elevated the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the content of glutathione (GSH). Our results suggest that catalpol exerts the most significant cytoprotective effect on astrocytes by suppressing the production of free radicals and elevating antioxidant capacity.

• Authors: Yachen Li, Yongming Bao, Bo Jiang, Zhuo Wang, Yuxin Liu, Cen Zhang, Lijia An
• Journal: International journal of developmental neuroscience : the official journal of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience (Int J Dev Neurosci) 2008 May-Jun Vol. 26 Issue 3-4 Pg. 309-17 ISSN: 0736-5748 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18337048 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Free Radicals
• Neuroprotective Agents
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• Tetrazolium Salts
• Thiazoles
• catamine AB
• L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
• Glutathione Peroxidase
• Superoxide Dismutase
• thiazolyl blue
• Glutathione

Topics

• Animals
• Antioxidants (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Astrocytes (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Brain Ischemia (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Cells, Cultured
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Free Radicals (metabolism)
• Glutathione (metabolism)
• Glutathione Peroxidase (drug effects, metabolism)
• L-Lactate Dehydrogenase (metabolism)
• Lipid Peroxidation (drug effects)
• Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial (drug effects)
• Mice
• Models, Biological
• Neuroprotective Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Oxidative Stress (drug effects)
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Reactive Oxygen Species (metabolism)
• Reperfusion Injury (metabolism, prevention & control)
• Superoxide Dismutase (drug effects, metabolism)
• Tetrazolium Salts (chemistry)
• Thiazoles (chemistry)