RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To study the neurocyte apoptosis and change of cytosolic free calcium induced by hypoxia/hypoglycemia culture in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, and the effect of Shenmai Injection (SMI) on them. METHODS: The neurocyte apoptosis rate was analysed quantitatively by flow cytometry and cytosolic calcium was determined by measuring mean fluorescent value with Fluo-3 flurometry. RESULTS: Hypoxia/hypoglycemia could induce neurocyte apoptosis and increase the cytosolic calcium in SH-SY5Y cells. SMI could inhibit the SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis and lower the concentration of cytosolic free calcium. CONCLUSION: Apoptosis is one of the death pattern of nerve cells. SMI could obviously reduce the hypoxia/hypoglycemia induced apoptosis and calcium overload, thus protect the neurocytes.