Abstract
The present study investigates the possible mechanism responsible for the neurotoxicity of D,L-homocysteine in primary culture of rat cerebellar granule cells. Neurotoxicity was assessed by measuring the amount of lactate dehydrogenase released from the cells following homocysteine treatment. D,L-Homocysteine (>300 μM; 16-22 h) induced the release of lactate dehydrogenase from the cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist (±)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (APV) partially blocked the homocysteine-mediated neurotoxicity. However, the non-NMDA receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) did not block the homocysteine-mediated toxicity. The homocysteine-mediated neurotoxicity was mostly prevented by the co-administration of superoxide dismutase and catalase or catalase alone. The results suggest that homocysteine induces neuronal cell death by stimulating NMDA receptor as well as by producing free radicals.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 117-120 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Neuroscience Letters |
Volume | 216 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1996 Sept 27 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cerebellar granule cell
- Free radical
- Homocysteine
- Lactate dehydrogenase
- N-Methyl-D-aspartate
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)