[Cell injury and its protection in astrocytes].

Abstract

Incubation of cultured astrocytes in Ca(2+)-containing medium after exposure to Ca(2+)-free medium causes Ca2+ influx followed by delayed cell death. Here, we summarize the mechanisms underlying the Ca(2+)-mediated injury of cultured astrocytes and the protective effects of drugs against Ca(2+)-reperfusion injury. Our results show that Ca(2+)-reperfusion injury of astrocytes appears to be mediated by apoptosis as evidenced by DNA fragmentation and nuclear condensation. Calpain, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, calcineurin, caspase-3, and NF-kappa B activation are involved in Ca(2+)-reperfusion injury. Several drugs including T-588 and idebenone protect astrocytes against Ca(2+)-reperfusion injury. The protective effect of idebenone is mediated by nerve growth factor production, whereas that of T-588 is mediated mainly by the mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signal cascade.

• Authors: T Matsuda, K Takuma, E Lee, A Baba
• Journal: Nihon yakurigaku zasshi. Folia pharmacologica Japonica (Nihon Yakurigaku Zasshi) Vol. 114 Issue 5 Pg. 281-6 (Nov 1999) ISSN: 0015-5691 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 10621941 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Benzoquinones
• Ubiquinone
• Calpain
• idebenone
• Calcium

Topics

• Animals
• Apoptosis (physiology)
• Astrocytes (drug effects, physiology)
• Benzoquinones (pharmacology)
• Calcium (pharmacology)
• Calpain (pharmacology)
• Cell Death
• Cells, Cultured
• Humans
• Reperfusion Injury (pathology)
• Ubiquinone (analogs & derivatives)