Neuroprotective Effects of 17β-Estradiol against Thrombin-Induced Apoptosis in Primary Cultured Cortical Neurons.

Abstract

AIMS:

17β-estradiol (E2) is a powerful neuroprotective agent in the central nervous system; however, little is known about its effects on intracerebral hemorrhage. This study examined the effects of E2 on thrombin-induced apoptosis in vitro and investigated the potential mechanisms.

METHODS:

Primary cultured cortical neurons were treated with E2 or vehicle and then the cells were exposed to thrombin. Neuronal apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. The phosphorylated c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (p-ERK1/2), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and caspase-3 were assayed by western blot.

RESULTS:

Consequently, we found that E2 has significantly reduced the apoptosis in thrombin-treated neurons. E2 also exhibited a downregulation in the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, caspase-3 and p-JNK. However, E2 had little effect on p-ERK1/2 proteins activation.

CONCLUSION:

Taken together, E2 has shown neuroprotective effects on thrombin-induced neuronal apoptosis, and the molecular mechanisms may correlate with the inhibition of the JNK signaling pathway.

• Authors: Lei Bao, Su Zhou, Hui Zhao, Jie Zu, Qianqian He, Xinchun Ye, Guiyun Cui
• Journal: Pharmacology (Pharmacology) Vol. 96 Issue 5-6 Pg. 284-9 ( 2015) ISSN: 1423-0313 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 26502217 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
• Neuroprotective Agents
• Estradiol
• Thrombin

Topics

• Animals
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins (metabolism)
• Blotting, Western
• Cells, Cultured
• Cerebral Cortex (drug effects, embryology, metabolism)
• Estradiol (pharmacology)
• Flow Cytometry
• MAP Kinase Signaling System (drug effects)
• Neurons (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Neuroprotective Agents (pharmacology)
• Primary Cell Culture
• Rats
• Thrombin (toxicity)