Prostaglandin E1 protects cultured spinal neurons against the effects of nitric oxide toxicity.

Abstract

The effects of prostaglandin (PG) E(1) on NO neurotoxicity were examined using rat cultured spinal neurons. Rat cultured spinal neurons exposed to the NO donor, 2,2'-(hydroxynitrosohydrazono) bis-ethanamine (NOC18), showed neurotoxic effects that were accompanied by apoptotic nuclear change, free radical generation, a reduction in glutathione, and mitochondrial dysfunction. PGE(1), at concentrations of 1-100 nM, protected cultured spinal neurons from NO toxicity by reversing the oxidative and pro-apoptotic properties elicited by NOC18 exposure. The administration of PGE(1) increased the intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in cultured spinal neurons. In addition, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis confirmed the existence of EP4, a cAMP-elevating PGE receptor, in cultured spinal neurons. The protective effects of PGE(1) against NO neurotoxicity was partially blocked by an inhibitor of MEK [the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase], suggesting that the MAPK/ERK pathway may play a significant role in the activity of PGE(1). PGE(1) up-regulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, as determined by Western blot analysis. PGE(1) also induced the expression of thioredoxin in cultured spinal neurons. Our data indicate that PGE(1) exerts a protective action against NO neurotoxicity in cultured spinal neurons, and suggests a therapeutic potential of PGE(1) against spinal cord disease, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

• Authors: S Kikuchi, K Shinpo, M Niino, S Tsuji, K Iwabuchi, K Onoé, K Tashiro
• Journal: Neuropharmacology (Neuropharmacology) Vol. 42 Issue 5 Pg. 714-23 (Apr 2002) ISSN: 0028-3908 [Print] England
• PMID: 11985830 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Free Radicals
• NOC 18
• Nitric Oxide Donors
• Nitroso Compounds
• Vasodilator Agents
• Nitric Oxide
• Thioredoxins
• Alprostadil
• Glutathione

Topics

• Alprostadil (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Cell Survival (drug effects, physiology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Free Radicals (metabolism)
• Glutathione (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Intracellular Membranes (drug effects, physiology)
• Mitochondria (drug effects, physiology)
• Neurons (drug effects, physiology)
• Nitric Oxide (toxicity)
• Nitric Oxide Donors (toxicity)
• Nitroso Compounds (toxicity)
• Permeability (drug effects)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Spinal Cord (cytology, drug effects, physiology)
• Thioredoxins (biosynthesis)
• Vasodilator Agents (pharmacology)