Effects of lithium on primary cultured cerebrocortical neurons of rat / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the neuroprotection and the impact on brain development of lithium, the effects of lithium salt on the growth and survival of primary cultured cerebrocortical neurons were studied.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The technique of primary cultured cerebrocortical neurons of newborn rats with serum-free medium was established, and the growth and survival of neurons treated with different doses of lithium chloride (0.625, 1.250, 2.500, 5.000, 10.000 mmol/L) were observed. The length of neuronal synapse, cell viability by MTT reduction assay were also measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The neurons were brighter, germinated rapidly, the neuronal synapse lengthened markedly, and the neurons viability was also better after treated with lithium chloride. Among the five doses, 5.000 mmol/L had the best effect [(53.80 +/- 5.84) micro m, P < 0.01].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Lithium chloride can promote the growth and survival of neurons.</p>