Protective effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone on damage of hippocampal neurons induced by NMDA in rats / 中国康复理论与实践

ABSTRACT

@# ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on damage of hippocampal neurons induced by NMDA.MethodsHippocampal neurons were cultured in vitro and NMDA was used to induce neurotoxicity 8 d after, while PQQ were used or not before. The metamorphosis of hippocampal neurons was observed under the microscope. Intracellular calcium levels was measured by confocal laser microscopy. ResultsThe intracellular Ca2+ level increased rapidly after exposure to 0.1 mmol/L NMDA and resulted in neuronal necrosis and apoptosis. Otherwise, pretreatment of the cultured neurons with PQQ reduced the increase of the intracellular Ca2+ level and the neuronal necrosis or apoptosis induced by NMDA.ConclusionPQQ can protect hippocampal neurons from damage induced by NMDA.